SHANE Byrne took victory in race one of the Knockhill MCE British Superbike round after a closely fought battle which saw the top four riders separated by just 0.952s.

Byrne’s PBM Kawasaki team-mate Stuart Easton led on lap one of his home round, but Byrne snatched the lead at the Hairpin.

Anvil Hire TAG Racing Kawasaki’s Filip Backlund crashed on lap one, leaving debris on track. As a result the pack was forced to follow the safety car before a restart three laps later.

Byrne then continued to fend off Easton while Honda Racing’s Dan Linfoot crashed uninjured at turn seven.

Linfoot’s team-mate Jason O’Halloran and Josh Brookes swapped positions, with Milwaukee Yamaha’s Brookes managing to fend off his fellow-Australian.

Tyco BMW’s Michael Laverty gained ground on the leading four riders and passed O’Halloran at the Hairpin with 10 laps to go, moving up behind Brookes. A few laps later Laverty took the inside line past Brookes at the Hairpin, leaving only Easton and Byrne in his sights.

Laverty passed Easton with three laps to go, and held the position to finish second behind Byrne.

However, Laverty was later given a one-second penalty by Race Direction for overtaking Brookes in a waved yellow flag zone. The penalty dropped Laverty to fourth place behind Byrne, Easton and Brookes.  

Be Wiser Kawasaki’s Danny Buchan achieved his best result so far this year in sixth place.

Byrne said: ‘That was a tough race – I envisaged it would be a harder pace and I was desperate to stay in front, riding my own rhythm and not following anyone. I pushed when I was at the front but a few times felt a bit on the edge. I saw where Stuart was and over the last couple of laps pushed on to keep ahead.  I enjoy the intensity of racing here – you can’t give a tenth away with these guys breathing down your neck, so I enjoy the challenge.’

MCE Knockhill BSB race one results:

1. Shane Byrne (PBM Kawasaki)

 2. Stuart Easton (PBM Kawasaki) +0.495s

 3. Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) +0.952s

 4. Michael Laverty* (Tyco BMW) 1.345s

 5. Jason O’Halloran (Honda Racing) +3.657s

 6. Danny Buchan (Be Wiser Kawasaki) +5.360s

 7. Tommy Bridewell (Tyco BMW) +9.178s

 8. Luke Mossey (Quattro Plant Kawasaki) +10.305s

 9. James Westmoreland (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +12.896s

 10. Peter Hickman (RAF Reserves BMW) +13.217s

See the race two results and the championship standings. 

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