Shane Byrne made his return to the top step of the podium in the first Bennetts British Superbike race of the day at
Brands Hatch after a controlled performance.
In a race largely devoid of drama, Byrne, relieved of the pressure from his title challenge, snatched the lead from the fast starting Cal Crutchlow on the second lap and wouldn't be tackled for the remainder of the 28 laps.
An important win for the Airwaves Ducati rider, who hadn't won a race since
Mallory Park, it occurs around his home circuit and on his final outing for the team before he embarks on his switch to the World Superbike Championship next season.
From the off, it was Crutchlow who managed the best getaway, the Honda rider defying his third place on the grid, a slot that is traditionally considered difficult to get away from on this circuit, to dive into Paddock Hill Bend in the lead.
Despite the frantic pile into the notorious corner, there were no scuffles, although the order was defined by those who managed a better start from their grid positions. James Ellison was a big winner, jumping up from fifth to third, ahead of Leon Haslam, who dropped two positions the other way from second to fourth. Leon Camier and Tom Sykes followed in fifth and sixth.
Having dominated qualifying, Byrne loomed large behind Crutchlow throughout the opening lap, so it was no surprise to see him ease around the outside of the Honda rider up Hailwood Hill before cutting him off at Druids.
Taking a lead he wouldn't lose all the way to the chequered flag, although Byrne was never considerably faster than the chasing pack, they were never close enough to mount a sustained challenge either.
Crutchlow's hopes of pressuring Byrne were scuppered by Ellison's mid-race attempts to keep his Honda counterpart honest, although the Hydrex Bike Animal rider was himself having to contend with attention from Haslam.
Indeed, the Ellison-Haslam battle served the only real entertainment amongst the leading riders, although the likelihood of them changing position was restricted to the occasional feigned move at Paddock Hill Bend.
