The order behind was changing constantly though as lesser fancied riders that gambled on a full wet weather set-up surged to the front of the field. Led by Leon Haslam, Billy McConnell, Simon Andrews, Aaron Zanotti and Guy Mason all occupied high top ten positions in the early stages.
Andrews, on the Lloyds Jentin Suzuki was particularly enjoying himself, getting as high as second place when his dice with Haslam saw him make a move up the inside of Charlie's that forced the HM Plant Honda rider to take to the escape road.
However, with the warm summer sun soon returning again and a dry line rapidly appearing, the pendulum was swinging back to the intermediate and slick-shod riders.
Byrne, competing with one intermediate tyre and one slick tyre, had spent much of the race on the fringes of the top positions but quickly began capitalising on the improving conditions to pass both Andrews and Haslam on lap 12 to move up to second place.
With six seconds to make up on Rutter and 18 laps to do so, Byrne was certainly well within his capabilities to track down his fellow Ducati rider. However, even the championship leader was starting to struggle as the race progressed and, after making a brief bid for victory mid-way through the race, began to settle for second.
However, Crutchlow was having other ideas. The HM Plant Honda rider was amongst those to risk a slick strategy, but despite falling outside the top ten in the early stages, was making up substantial amount of ground later on, passing several bikes before coming up against Byrne. Romping up the inside at the hairpin, Crutchlow was unable to stop sufficiently on tarmac that was still damp off-line, prompting him to pass but run wide.
Despite his efforts around the final lap, Crutchlow could not find a way past Byrne, but was still satisfied to finish up with a second third place finish of the day.
