Shane Byrne and Leon Camier mix it with the leaders in the World Superbike Championship at Donington Park
Kent riders Shane Byrne and Leon Camier battled
it out with the front runners during the weekend’s World Superbike
event at Donington Park.
Byrne (pictured right), fresh from
his first podium of the season during the previous meeting at
Misano, was on the pace again for the British round of the
championship.
The Sittingbourne rider started on the
front row for the opening race and he clinched a fifth place
finish, before going one better in the second, to earn more
valuable world championship points.
Byrne now sits 10th in the rider
standings.
He said: "In race one I could’ve at
least fought for the podium with (Noriyuki) Haga. Instead I
encountered brake issues after three laps and so I couldn’t be as
effective under braking.
"In race two the problem was fixed and
despite a bad start I managed to get back in the fight for the
podium in the tenth lap.
"Unfortunately, this time it didn’t go
as I was hoping, but I still proved that I have what it takes to
fight for the top spots".
Ashford’s Camier (pictured below), who
currently leads the British series, was racing as a wildcard
entrant and his weekend got ever better.
He finished 13th in the
opening race and then in the second outing he climbed from
20th to 6th.
"Race One was tough," he said. "I struggled with braking,
steering and a lack of grip. Plus my start was horrendous.
"I was a lot happier with Race Two.
I still suffered with brake problems but I just had to ride around
them and overtake at every possible opportunity. My start was only
slightly better compared to Race One, but still pretty
terrible.
"To make my way up to
6th from 20th is a big achievement."
Camier resumes his involvement in
the domestic championship this weekend when the British Superbike
roadshow heads for Knockhill.
Byrne meanwhile has a break before
the World Superbikes return at Brno at the end of July.
Monday, June 29 2009