Ducati privateer, UK’s Shane Byrne, sets world superbike paddock alight
Briton Shane Byrne has always been a top-class motorcycle racer, and he’s about to show the world. After an outstanding pre-season in his rookie Superbike World Championship season, the 32-year-old Swiss-based Londoner will start as one of the favourites in the opening round at Victoria’s Phillip Island from February 27 until March 1.
Byrne is no stranger to superbike competition, having won the second of his two British Superbike (BSB) titles in 2008, and he’s now carried that form over into the international arena on his privateer Sterilgarda Ducati.
Byrne has been a revelation, setting the fastest time in the recent official three-day test session at Portimao in Portugal in late January, which was attended by all the factory and privateer teams. Byrne was also the pacesetter when the heavens opened.
Byrne credits a seamless changeover from his British to Italian-based teams for his sizzling performances.
“It had been an absolutely perfect transition from British to world superbike,” said Byrne. “I’ve wanted to make the switch for three years now, and I can’t be world champion by racing back at home – even though I can probably make twice the money in the UK.
“I jumped on the WSBK machine, and it felt very similar to the Ducati I raced in 2008, so it really helped me to set some good times from the start.
“At the first test I did at Portimao (Portugal) last year, it was a bit of a phony test as not everyone was there, Yamaha only had new bikes and Aprilia was starting totally from scratch.
“But after I went fastest again the other week with everyone on board, it did surprise me a little bit. I know that racing is a completely different game to testing, and my feet are firmly glued to the ground.”
Byrne, who has the nickname “Shakey”, has joined the Sterilgarda team for his WSBK assault, which fielded Max Biaggi and Ruben Xaus in 2008. Xaus was the only privateer to win a race all last year.
“There was a chance I could have gone from Airwaves (his British team) to factory Ducati in WSBK, but it obviously didn’t happen,” said Byrne. “There were also a few other potential factory offers, but I really wanted to stay on a Ducati – and Ducati wanted me to remain in its family.
“Sterilgarda is a great team – happy, friendly and used to success. And it’s an exciting new era in WSBK, and I couldn’t be happier that I’m now a part of it.”
Byrne believes he will be a potent force at Phillip Island, even though he’ll have to initially reacquaint himself with the circuit in the opening practice session on Friday morning.
“I’ve only ridden at Phillip Island once, and that was in a three-day test with the Aprilia MotoGP team in 2004. I absolutely loved the place, and really gelled with the circuit.
“I hope it won’t take that long to find my bearings, and then I can really start to work on setting some fast times.”
Byrne’s biggest concern at the moment is Ducati’s sophisticated electronics package holding him back.
“We’ve now got to fine-tune the electronics package a little now, as I want to be a little freer in my riding – I want to accelerate more than it is letting me.
“However, we have made a few chassis changes to my new bike, which has made it a lot easier to steer.
“In BSB, I always came on strong in the latter part of the race, so hopefully I can transform that form into the WSBK arena.
“I’m really going to be pushing hard for a double win at Phillip Island, as it’s vital that I get a good start in the championship.
“I know it’s not going to be easy, but from what I’ve done so far this year I expect to be fighting with (Troy) Corser, (Noriyuki) Haga, (Ben) Spies and the Honda boys from race one.”
Byrne is already a two-time WSBK winner, storming to a clean sweep at his Brands Hatch home round in 2003. His record is now two wins from six races, but he’d dearly love to leave a more enduring legacy.
“I’d love for people to look back and talk about the battles between Shakey and Haga in years to come – just like they speak about the battles between the likes of (Colin) Edwards, (Aaron) Slight and (Carl) Fogarty in the 1990s.
“But I don’t want to be too greedy – two or three titles will do me just fine!”
Byrne’s motivation to succeed in WSBK is obvious, after a disastrous two-year dabble with MotoGP in 2004 and 2005.
“I won the BSB title in 2003, and then I was offered a three-year deal in MotoGP, and I just couldn’t turn that down,” said Byrne. “Obviously, things didn’t turn out for the best, so I went back to the BSB and basically started again.
“I won the title again last year, and now I’m desperate to prove myself – I want to hang around world superbike for a long time.”
Byrne heads a British invasion on this WSBK title, with former sparring partners Leon Haslam (Honda) and Tom Sykes (Yamaha) also joining the fray, with Jonathan Rea (Honda) also moving up from world supersport.
They will join all the established stars, such as Aussie dual world champion Troy Corser (BMW), Noriyuki Haga (Ducati), Max Biaggi (Aprilia) and Carlos Checa (Honda).
Thirty-two riders will compete in this year’s WSBK tile, an unprecedented level of factory participation in a world championship.
Australia has a healthy quota of four riders: Corser, Broc Parkes (Kawasaki), Brendan Roberts (Ducati) and Karl Muggeridge (Suzuki).
Yamaha Phillip Island Superbike World Championship, Phillip Island, Feb 27-March 1
For tickets and information go to http://www.phillipislandcircuit.com.au/superbikes/index.html
Images from Portimao Three Day Test – Gallery A – Gallery B – Gallery C – Gallery D
| Superbike – Overall Best Times – Portimao Three Day Test 1. Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 1’43.294; | Supersport – Overall Best Times – Portimao Three Day Test 1. Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1’45.214; |
