Indeed, with Crutchlow unable to pull any kind of gap over Haslam, the top five had closed up again within ten laps. Having been unable to make his move stick on lap 16, Haslam finally pulled a decisive pass on Crutchlow at the hairpin two laps later to take the lead of the race for the first time.
Just behind though, Byrne was on a charge, passing Sykes for third on lap 19 having already dispatched Laverty. Crutchlow posed little resistance to the Airwaves Ducati rider though as he swept past on lap 25, giving himself five tours of the short Leicestershire to try and overhaul Haslam. He would only need one though to get a better run out of the Bus Stop chicane, Byrne simply easing past down the home straight and into the lead.
Haslam attempted to respond but his hopes were dashed when a lapped Martin Jessopp posed a big problem for the leading riders in their attempts to pass him, the Daily Star Cup rider managing to block each of the top five individually and causing the lead pack to space out.
There was still time for drama though when, on the penultimate lap, Laverty suddenly tumbled off his Suzuki to end his hopes of a strong result. Although he rejoined, he could only recover to 11th place.
Back at the front though, Byrne was celebrating his win of just over a second from Haslam, who will be disappointed to have lost out on another race win having led the way in the latter stages. Crutchlow ran Haslam close in the latter stages but couldn't find a way past, while Sykes was left to rue his dismal start for his eventual fourth place finish.
Although the battle at the front of the field commanded most of the attention, there was still plenty of action further down the order after an intense battle over what would eventually turn out to be fifth place.
