Shakey to manage, mentor Jake Dixon

Shane Byrne, aiming for an unprecedented fifth British Superbike title in 2015, has also taken on the role of manager for 18-year-old British Supersport competitor Jake Dixon.

"For the past few months Jake and I have been working together, he's been training with me and we have seen vast improvements," Byrne explained. "At first he was being sick and couldn't hack it but I've seen some real determination in him and he wants to win so badly.

"So as well as helping him with training and fitness, I've now agreed to take him under my wing from a full managerial point of view by taking care of his deals as well as his general approach both on and off the bike and at and away from the race tracks. I plan to get the very best out of him so everything I do, he will do.

"I'll work him so hard he'll wish he wasn't born some days! But it's an approach that has been successful for me over the years and hopefully, we can both celebrate with a championship each at the end of the season."

Dixon has spent the past two seasons in the Motorpoint British Supersport Championship, finishing eighth in this year's series.

For 2015 Dixon is joining the title-winning Smiths Racing Team aboard a factory-backed Triumph Daytona 675R and, with Byrne's help, hopes to retain the title for the Gloucester-based team.

"It's an absolute honour to have someone like Shakey offer to help me in my quest for success so I don't plan on letting him down," Dixon said. "He's the complete package and I've often asked his advice in the past whereby he's been very helpful. So when he offered to train me and help me, I jumped at the chance and already I'm finding a difference.

"I have a brilliant bike and a proven championship winning team behind me for 2015 thanks to Shakey so I need to be in the best shape both mentally and physically. I'm determined to make the most of this opportunity and whilst it's going to be tough at times, with a four-time BSB champion in your corner, it's all the motivation I need."