The inter-Ducati battle was interesting as the race drew to a close. Rutter was very strong into the final chicane and Byrne was going to have to make a hard move to get through.
The former champion made it past in his favourite spot at the Cobb corner in the complex, quickly getting his head down to pull away and catch the leading Honda.
The gap to Crutchlow was too great though and he took a well deserved debut Superbike victory.
The Coventry youngster has been right up there in every practice and qualifying session and if anyone was going to beat Byrne, the Honda man was the most likely candidate.
“I've worked hard for this,” said the 22-year-old. “I feel I have proved a point here that I am right there on pace with the quickest guys. Hopefully there's more to come from now on.”
Byrne was a happy with second but rueing the early part of the restart behind Sykes.
“I got held up a fair bit behind Tom in the early part of the race,” revealed Byrne. “It took me and Michael too long to get past him and by that time Cal was too far in front.
“Fair play to Cal though he rode very well and the kid deserves a win.”
Rutter could barely hide his delight with a double podium.
“It feels like we have won the whole meeting really,” he said. “The Ducati was getting better and better through both races.
“I have to admit though that I am a bit rusty running this far up front, I've had a bad couple of years and it's so great to be up there challenging for podiums."
Behind these three the next best rider was Leon Camier, the young Airwaves Ducati rider having a much better ride in his second outing on the new machine and as his shoulder heals, (it's about 90% there now) the former Supersport champion will be looking to join his team mate on the podium.
Some retirements allowed Michael Laverty into the top five, the reigning British Supersport champion, in his second spell on a Superbike, made good progress from a disappointing qualifying to score good points for the TAS team.
