Shane Byrne crowned 2014 BSB champion
Shane Byrne has secured the 2014 MCE British Superbike Championship in style after notching up a timely ninth win of the season at Brands Hatch to put the title out of Ryuichi Kiyonari's reach.
With the injured Kiyonari failing to start the second encounter, Byrne came into the race knowing a fourth place finish would suffice for him to secure the crown with a race in hand.
Indeed though Kiyonari had not officially withdrawn from the event in case Byrne suffered problems in race two - particularly after his DNF in race one -, the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki rider would not need another invitation to wrap up the title early, stalking his way into lead on lap 10 and prevailing in a tussle with Howie Mainwaring to break clear to the chequered flag.
His third title success as a Paul Bird Motorsport rider, the 2014 crown goes with his previous 2012, 2008 and 2003 titles to confirm his status as the most successful BSB rider of all-time.
Indeed, despite the disappointing outcome to the Title Showdown, Byrne's achievements in 2014 cannot be underestimated having won nine races and accumulated a mammoth 107 point advantage over his nearest rivals before the points-equalisation format for the final three events.
Kiyonari suffered a displaced fracture of the collarbone after coming off his Buildbase BMW in FP3, ruling him out of the first of three races at least.
Though he expressed his determination to get back on the bike for the second and third races, Kiyonari - having missed morning warm-up - opted not to make the start of race two and his unlikely to compete in race three now.
