Byrne secures double to open lead.

Shane Byrne was full of praise for the Airwaves Ducati team after securing a double win at Oulton Park that allows him to strengthen his early season advantage in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship.

Byrne went into the weekend level on points with fellow Thruxton winner Cal Crutchlow but will now head to Brands Hatch for the rescheduled 'season-opener' having opened up a handy 39 point lead at the top of the championship standings on the back of his Cheshire double.

Having qualified in second place on the grid behind Crutchlow, Byrne slipped back to fourth place at the start but was soon starting to make up places as he took third from Leon Haslam on the second lap. Having climbed ahead of Tom Sykes into second place, Byrne then took the lead when Crutchlow fell at Lodge before coming under increasing pressure from Haslam for the win in ...