Cycle News

Cycle News 2014 Issue 18 May 6

Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles

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IN THE WIND P26 BROOKES, BYRNE SPLIT BSB WINS M ilwaukee Yamaha's Josh Brookes broke three-time British Superbike Champion Shane Byrne's run of winning form by claiming a victory in the second round of the MCE Insur- ance British Superbike Champi- onship at Oulton Park on Monday. The two riders had been in- separable throughout the week- end with Byrne adding to his winning tally in the opening race aboard his Rapid Solicitors Ka- wasaki, though under sustained pressure from Brookes in the closing stages. Byrne made the break with Brookes ever so close with James Ellison aboard the Lloyds British GBmoto Kawasaki in third, before the Aussie re-established himself in second place, better- ing the lap record set in 2006, to cross the line only .105 of a sec- ond behind Byrne. "The gap to Josh started com- ing down, but I didn't want to make a mistake, or let up at all or dangle a carrot to him and for- tunately I did just enough to hold him off to win," Byrne said. Brookes had the pole start for the second race and he made the perfect get-away though By- rne was in close contention and on the second lap they swapped places twice in one corner, but Brookes maintained his posi- tion at the front. The Australian was coming under fire from the former champion but he held off Byrne twice as he made moves for the lead. It was a first victory for Brookes since joining the Yamaha team and it came by just.118 of a second. "I don't know when I last led a race from start to fin- ish," Brookes said. "Shakey [Byrne] came past early on and I had to fight back quickly as I didn't want to let him go. I made a fairly daring move to get him back and then twice at Island Bends he came back at me, but I thought you will have to do better than that!" Byrne settled for second but holds his lead in the over- all standings ahead of the next round at Snetterton. Ellison had continued his con- sistent run, having claimed third- place finishes in each of the four races so far. Californian John Hopkins had a DNF and a ninth in the two rac- es on his Tyco Suzuki. In British Supersport action, James Rispo- li ended up 12 th on his Team Trac- tion Control Suzuki. Josh Brookes split wins with Shane Byrne in the second round of the British Superbike Series at Oulton Park.

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