BSB: 'More to come' from fastest man Byrne

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Shane Byrne has warned there is still more to come from him and the Be Wiser Ducati even after breaking the lap record on the opening day at Cadwell Park. 

Byrne’s second session time of 1’26.291 is 0.3 seconds under Leon Haslam’s official circuit lap record, but the four-time champion says there is still work to do with the Panigale R ahead of Monday’s two races.

This is an ominous prospect for rivals, with Byrne 0.4 seconds quicker than second placed man Luke Mossey after the conclusion of Saturday’s track action. 

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“It would be silly to say I wasn’t happy with how it has gone today when we have a gap at the top, but at the same time we still have some work to do as there are a few areas where I think we can improve,” he told MCN.

“The bike is working ok, but it is like I have said before, this is a real race bike and when it is in its window its really, really good, but at the moment it is just on the window sill! We want to make some more improvements before the races, but it has been a good day.”

Byrne was confident he could have gone quicker in the final stages of today’s second free practice but claims to have been blocked by riders looking for a tow.

“At the end of the day, sometimes you give somebody two or three seconds up the track and try and reel them in, that’s cool but we’ve got guys parking themselves in the middle of the track, blocking the lap you are on and then have the cheek to jump on the back of you and trying to get a tow.

“Ultimately for me, all of those guys have got to race us on Monday and I’ve got to race all of them. If someone is getting a lap time now from a tow, whether they’ll be able to do that in the race is another thing. I like to do all my stuff on my own and make sure my head is clear so I can do my own rhythm.”

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Oli Rushby

By Oli Rushby

Former sports reporter covering British Superbikes, World Superbikes and road racing