Shane Byrne finds himself just two points from eighth position in the World Superbike Championship standings after recording a fine pair of top five finishes on home ground at Donington Park.

In what has been a remarkable turnaround for the Briton, who was as low as 15th in the standings just three rounds ago heading to the United States, Byrne's momentum has now seen him finish inside the top six in each of the last four races.

Even so, after qualifying third on the grid, Byrne admits he was disappointed to miss out on the podium after suffering brake problems in the first race before losing out in a tight exchange with Leon Haslam and Michel Fabrizio in the second.

Nonetheless, following such a disappointing start to the season on the Sterilgarda Ducati, Byrne is pleased to prove again that has what it takes to fight at the front.

"In race one, I could have at least fought for the podium with Haga. Instead I encountered brake issues after three laps and so I couldn't be as effective under braking. In the third split, with two slow corners, I lost six or seven tenths.

“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.”

Now just two points behind Jakub Smrz and Carlos Checa in the overall standings, team manager Marco Borciani was feeling vindicated by Byrne's performances.

"I'm really sorry for the brake problems. I'm sure Shakey could've fought for the podium in race one. He did however prove he is a very talented rider after he grabbed the fifth place with those brake issues.

“In race two, he did his best to take another podium but we're quite happy nonetheless with what we did at Donington. We feel we have established ourselves as one of the better teams in World Superbikes.”