Shakey stays with PBM for 2016

Defending MCE British Superbike champion Shane Byrne will remain with the Paul Bird Motorsport squad for the 2016 season, after signing a deal yesterday evening with the Cumbrian chicken magnate.

Admitting as recently as yesterday afternoon that there was still no formal agreement for next season, Byrne and Bird nonetheless was able to put together an agreement following qualifying for today’s penultimate round of the championship at Silverstone.

“The beauty of riding for PBM, and Paul and I having the kind of relationship we have, means there is no need to hold lengthy negotiations and after a five minute chat in the garage, we sorted the deal out. We both know we give each other 100% and I’m very happy with the people around me. We are about to enter a very exciting new chapter in PBM and I’m really excited to be a part of it.”

Hinting at that future is intense paddock speculation around which manufacturer’s bike the four-time champion will be on for the season, though. With Bird admitting to MCN that he has spoken not only to long-term partners Kawasaki but also to both Ducati and Aprilia, the team has yet to confirm which machines they will run.

The question of Byrne’s teammate also remains unanswered, with the success of the deputising Danny Buchan this weekend at Silverstone potentially casting into doubt Stuart Easton’s future with the squad.