Can anyone stop Shane Byrne from winning the 2008 Bennetts British Superbike Championship in anything less than dominant fashion?
It doesn’t look too likely at the moment, the Airwaves Ducati rider having shrugged off a weight penalty at
Donington Park by romping to a double victory, wins that have seen his lead in the standings rise to 68 points over Cal Crutchlow.
Winning all but two races this season (and finishing those other races in second), Byrne has made it look remarkably easy this year, although it will be interesting to see whether his relentless form will continue in the next round of the championship at
Snetterton.
A circuit that is renowned for favouring the Honda over the years, Ducati will also have to contend with the introduction of the full weight penalty they were due to incur at the previous round.
Indeed, the controversial decision to raise the minimal weight limit of the 1098 to 175kg has divided opinion up and down the paddock – not to mention countless BSB fans if the comments on
Crash.net are anything to go by.
However, given that the eventual weight of the Ducati last time out at Donington Park actually exceeded 175kg, it remains to be seen how much of a difference it will make.
Still, Snetterton will certainly be the acid test, not least because of Honda’s track record, but also because the long straights that make up much of the circuit is likely to hurt a heavier bike.
Regardless of GSE Racing’s concerns, both HM Plant Honda riders, second placed Crutchlow and Leon Haslam, are very confident ahead of this weekend’s event.
“Normally the Hondas go well there – last year for instance Ryuichi Kiyonari took a winning double – so I am really looking forward to getting out there and going for the results,” said Haslam.
“I enjoy riding the circuit, though in the past when I’ve raced there I’ve been on a slower bike, but have been quick through the corners so have always been in contention, but now with the bike I have, I am feeling good for strong results.”
Splitting the two riders with third in the standings is Leon Camier on the second Airwaves Ducati, who continued his solid season on the championship leading bike at Donington Park, even if he did just miss a podium.
