British Superbike

Byrne Beats Haslam in Last Lap Shootout

1 Mins read

Shane Byrne claimed his third consecutive British Superbike victory after seeing off Leon Haslam in a last lap battle in race one at Cadwell Park. The two title favourites traded places throughout the race but ultimately it came down to the final two miles, with Byrne snatching victory halfway around the final lap.

Haslam had started from pole position after a record-breaking qualifying lap but Byrne soon edged ahead on the first lap, only to see the JG Speedfit Kawasaki outbrake him into Park. A mistake at Mansfield on lap four allowed the no.67 back ahead but despite the place-swapping, Byrne, Haslam and Jason O’Halloran’s Honda had distanced themselves from the rest of the field.

As the race reached half-distance, Haslam repeated his opening lap manoeuvre on Byrne but with both focusing on preserving their tyres in the hot conditions, O’Halloran and Bennetts Suzuki’s Tommy Bridewell were now right in contention.

The pace quickened again in the closing stages as the title challengers resumed their battle but Haslam appeared to have fended off the Ducati after defending his line into Park on the last lap. Byrne had other ideas though and dived up the inside of Chris curve, securing a seventh win of 2016. Haslam’s only consolation was a lap record which earned him pole for race two.

O’Halloran held off a fast-finishing Bridewell for third while Glenn Irwin produced a sensational recovery ride to take fifth despite falling outside the top ten early on. James Ellison and Peter Hickman boosted their Showdown prospects with sixth and seventh for JG Speedfit Kawasaki while Richard Cooper faded to eighth despite a front row start, narrowly holding off Jake Dixon and Michael Laverty.

Avatar photo
5101 posts

About author
MotoGP, Moto2, Moto3 and WorldSBK writer for The Checkered Flag. Contact: [email protected]
Articles
Related posts
British SuperbikeDakarRoad Racing

Isle of Man TT winner James Hillier set for Dakar Rally debut in 2023 Malle Moto

2 Mins read
After a delay, James Hillier will make his first Dakar Rally start in 2023. Riding in the Malle Moto class, he will be the first Isle of Man TT winner to challenge Dakar.
British Superbike

Exclusive interview with Ben Luxton

3 Mins read
Getting to know one of the UK’s rising talents. Here’s an exclusive interview with British Superstock 600 rider Ben Luxton
British SuperbikeRoad Racing

Honda Racing confirm their 2020 British Superbike plans

1 Mins read
Honda Racing have announced their British Superbike and Superstock plans, along with their road racing plans for the 2020 season.