Byrne in control for race one at Knockhill

Shane Byrne has taken control of the opening MCE British Superbike race at Knockhill, by pulling just clear from a four bike chasing pack and staying there until the end of the thirty-lap race despite a safety car in the crash-blighted battle.

He didn’t have it all his own way, however, with teammate Stuart Easton making a move more than once in the early stage of the race. He soon was left with a challenger of his own to deal with, however, with Josh Brookes, Jason O’Halloran and Michael Laverty right behind.

Laverty was the man on the move in the closing stages of the race, though, coming through past first Brookes and then Easton to take second place at the flag. That decision may yet change, however, with a backmarker crash late in the race causing Milwaukee Yamaha to protest Laverty’s pass on Brookes.

Many of the other title rivals didn’t make it to the chequered flag though, with race two pole man James Ellison and triple champion Ryuichi Kiyonari all failing to make it after crashing out simultaneously at turn seven.