Shane Byrne has moved to within ten points of Tom Sykes in the overall World Superbike standings after posting two solid top ten finishes for Sterilgarda Ducati at Magny-Cours.

The Briton had been slightly disappointed with his ninth place starting position in Superpole but was then forced to make up ground in race one when a poor start left him down in 11th initially.

Nonetheless, Byrne was able to get involved in an enjoyable scrap for seventh with Yukio Kagayama, Troy Corser and Jakub Smrz, the reigning British Superbike Champion getting past the latter two but being unable to unseat the Suzuki rider.

A similar situation greeted Byrne during the second encounter after becoming embroiled in a race long battle with his former BSB rival, the pair swapping positions for sixth and seventh repeatedly before Kagayama eventually got the edge.

Nonetheless, Byrne was pleased with his performance and is now looking forward to Portimao, where he made headlines earlier in the year by dominating pre-season testing.

“I had a lot of fun in both races. I'd like to congratulate the team who have done a great job after yesterday when I really didn't get a good feeling from the front of the bike.

“In race two, me and Kagayama kept overtaking each other. I gave it my all in both races but it seemed like the second one was taking forever. Now we'll end the season at Portimao, on a track where our bike can certainly perform much better".

"We were the best private Ducati in both races yet again which means we're doing a very good job,” added team manager Marco Borciani. “Shakey was fantastic today and with these results he ensured his ninth place in the standings, just behind Sykes.”