British Superbike Championship: BSB Oulton Park

A record crowd packed into Oulton Park on bank holiday Monday to soak up some glorious spring sunshine and watch the UK’s best bike racers take to the track.

Alex Lowes took the spoils in Race 1, after reigning champion Shane Byrne crashed out while battling with the Samsung Honda rider. Byrne had taken the lead early in the race, beating polesitter Lowes on the run to Old Hall, with Josh Brookes slotting into third on the Tyco Suzuki.

Lowes was soon back in front, passing Byrne into Island Bend on lap 1, and from then the leading trio edged away from the chasing pack. ‘Shakey’ Byrne and Alex Lowes enjoyed a close fight for the lead, with Brookes keeping a watching brief in third. This all came to an end on lap 12, as Shakey lost the front end at Brittens and slid out of contention.

This left Alex Lowes to take an easy win aboard the #22 Samsung Honda, while a charging James Ellison overhauled Josh Brookes to take another podium finish for the Milwaukee Yamaha squad.

Shane Byrne made amends in race two, storming to victory in a thrilling battle that saw the top three covered by less than one second after 18 laps of racing.

Byrne took the lead on lap 1, with Josh Brookes, Alex Lowes, James Ellison and Tommy Bridewell all pushing hard behind. Lowes swiftly passed Brookes and set off in pursuit of the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki, taking the lead briefly on lap 7.

Byrne and Lowes swapped places several times over the next few laps, with Josh Brookes never far behind. The Australian saw his opportunity on lap 11 and dived in front of Lowes at Old Hall. This allowed James Ellison to get a run on Lowes, and the pair swapped places three times in as many corners until Lowes edged in front.

Brookes pushed hard for the win, but Shane Byrne held on to take a thoroughly deserved win.

Behind, John Kirkham took fourth for the Buildbase BMW squad, in front of Tommy Bridewell aboard the Bathams Honda. Team mate Michael Rutter celebrated his 400th BSB start in race 1, but retired with technical problems.