No snow at Thruxton as Byrne and Crutchlow take the spoils
After the opening round of the 2008 Bennetts British Superbike
Championship at Brands Hatch was postponed due to snow a fortnight
ago, race action finally got under way at Thruxton today (Sunday
20 April).
Following a dramatic afternoon of racing, Shane 'Shakey'
Byrne and Cal Crutchlow will be leaving the Hampshire circuit
happiest, after taking victories in race one and race two
respectively. It was Cal Crutchlow who led the pack in race
one, shadowed by team-mate Leon Haslam for the first few laps.
Pole-sitter Byrne passed Haslam on lap four, diving through
on the Airwaves Ducati, before moving on to pass Crutchlow
at the front of the field. He did so on lap thirteen and held
on for his fourth victory at Thruxton.
'Shakey' said: "We have come along way, and it is great
to be back racing and get this result. I settled into the
race and Cal was really going for it. I gout up to second
and the gap was opening up. As I came across the line a few
laps later my pitboard was showing plus zero so I thought
I should pull me finger out, which I did! It is a great result
for us."
Despite race two of the Bennetts British Superbike event
resulting in a maiden class victory for HM Plant Honda man
Cal Crutchlow, all the headlines are likely to focus on Rob
Mac Yamaha rider Karl Harris, who suffered a catastrophic
accident which resulted in a red flag and a restart. The Sheffield-born
rider was lucky enough to walk away from being clattered in
the face by an airborne Rizla Suzuki, and a broken nose seems
good value considering the force of the collision.
After the restart Tom Sykes, on a spare bike after the Harris
incident, took the initiative, however Crutchlow could sense
a win and went for it with venom. Crutchlow - two laps after
the lights went out for the second time - took to the front.
After a superb race one, Michael Rutter got in the points
again, on lap seven putting a move on Sykes, who by this time
was going backwards.
Winner of race one, Shane Byrne, looked dangerous again.
He had to wait until lap thirteen before having the opportunity
to pass Rutter for second place, and even when he had made
up the place it was a battle until the end to hold on.
After the disappointment of the snow-ravaged Brands Hatch,
the Bennetts British Superbike Championship has returned with
a vengeance, the action at Thruxton proving that it remains
the most exhilarating domestic series in the world.
The Bennetts British Superbike Championship next visits Oulton
Park on the 3-5 May.
Race one result:
1. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati); 2. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant
Honda) +2.306s; 3. Michael Rutter (NW 200 Ducati) +3.573;
4. Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda) +10.949; 5. Leon Camier (Airwaves
Ducati) +18.745
Race two result:
1. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda); 2. Shane Byrne (Airwaves
Ducati) +1.807s; 3. Michael Rutter (NW 200 Ducati) +2.136s;
4. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) +7.942s; 5. Michael Laverty
(Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +11.863s
Championship standings:
1. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati) 45pts; 2. Cal Crutchlow (HM
Plant Honda) 45pts; 3. Michael Rutter (North West 200 Ducati)
32pts; 4. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) 24pts; 5. Tom Sykes
(Rizla Suzuki) 18pts.
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