ONE TWO FOR SHANE BYRNE & AIRWAVES DUCATI
30 June 2008
Airwaves Ducati leave Mallory Park 1st and 3rd in the championship
after Shane Byrne secured a win and a 2nd place finish and Leon Camier
achieved a 8th place in round 6 today.In an eventful first race Leon was unfortunate that a good start, which saw him make a move around the outside, ended in him tipping off at the first corner. Shane was in 5th as the leading group moved away from the rest of the field. He then picked off the Suzuki and two Honda’s, eventually taking the lead on lap 26. He pulled away to take the chequered flag and his 8th win of the season.
Following a shower as the riders were lining up on the grid for race 2 the race was declared wet. Both Airwaves Ducati riders opted for slick rear tyres and intermediate fronts as the racing line appeared to be drying. Shane worked his way through the field to 2nd position by lap 13. However the gap to the race leader was too large and despite challenges on his position from Cal Crutchlow he crossed the line in 2nd place. Leon, who had slipped to 16th from the start, fought hard to regain 8 places to finish in 8th.
Leon Camier was disappointed but unscathed from his crash saying; “It has been a frustrating day; I was a bit unlucky to come off on the first corner in race one but it wasn’t a bad crash and I was fine. In race two I wanted to get another good start but with the track being a bit wet it was difficult. My shoulder had started to twinge a bit from my crash and it was a tough race for me but I am pleased I brought it home for some championship points. We are midway through season and I am 3rd in the championship, I have a bit of a break now when I will keep training and then get back to it at Oulton Park where I am hoping for a good result.”
Shane Byrne commented afterwards; “It has been an interesting day; I know I have said I don’t like this circuit much but I am pleased with the results I have achieved here. If somebody had told me before today that I was going to come away from Mallory Park with a win and a 2nd place I would have bitten their hand off, so I am pleased with it. All the circuits I don’t really like are out of the way now and I have a good lead in the championship at the half way point in the season so I am confident going to Oulton Park in a few weeks and hopefully it will go as well as it has so far.”
Race One Result
1. Shane Byrne – Airwaves Ducati
2. Leon Haslam – HM Plant Honda
3. Cal Crutchlow – HM Plant Honda
4. Tom Sykes – Rizla Suzuki
Race Two
1. Michael Rutter – North West 200 Ducati
2. Shane Byrne – Airwaves Ducati
3. Cal Crutchlow – HM Plant Honda
4. Tom Sykes – Rizla Suzuki
5. Karl Harris – Team Yamaha
6. Leon Haslam – HM Plant Honda
7. Simon Andrews – Jentin Racing
8. Leon Camier – Airwaves Ducati
Championship Points
1. Shane Byrne – Airwaves Ducati – 280 points
2. Cal Crutchlow – HM Plant Honda – 183 points
3. Leon Camier – Airwaves Ducati – 160 points
4. Leon Haslam - HM Plant Honda – 148 points
