BSB: Byrne: 'You can't win the championship at round one'

Shane Byrne remained pragmatic despite missing out on victory in the opening round of the 2018 Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Donington Park.

The reigning champion finished second and fifth in the weekend’s two races and despite admitting that he was a little annoyed not to have stood on the top step, he acknowledged he was in a much better position than this time last year when he missed both races at Donington Park after knocking himself out in warm-up.

“You can’t win the championship at the opening round, but you can definitely do yourself no favours if you get it wrong,” he told MCN. “So, to come away second in the championship means that we’re happy – especially compared to last year! 

“The whole weekend looked rather iffy and without making any excuses and despite being happy with my riding and with the team and the results, it was just one of those weekends! Tipping off in the warm-up when I’d done nothing wrong wasn’t great for the confidence and you can imagine how I felt rolling into the hairpin on slicks in the damp every lap in the race!”