2011 British Superbike
Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne, proven World Superbike race winner and double British Champion, has confirmed he will not be racing in WSBK in 2011, as he returns to the UK for a season with the respected HM Plant Honda team.
The 33-year-old Byrne was a top ten runner in 2010 World Superbike, with the Althea Racing Ducati team. As recently as 2009 he scored a superbike podium finish, at the San Marino Round in Misano for the Sterilgarda Ducati team.
In the UK, Byrne has been champion in 2003 and 2008, and has taken 27 individual superbike race wins, on Ducati machinery each time.
This time around Byrne is hoping to have a similar degree of success on a four-cylinder motorcycle, as he joins current BSB Champion Ryuichi Kiyonari in the main Honda BSB team.
Shane Byrne says: "I’m delighted to be joining HM Plant Honda. I’ve spent many years in BSB competing against them so I know just how strong the team is – finishing first and second in 2010 is testament to that."
"My clear aim is to join Kiyo and Niall Mackenzie in having three British titles to my name! I’m looking forward to working with Kiyo as he obviously knows the bike like the back of his hand; he’s a cool guy and I think we will work well together."
"I’m also looking forward to riding a four-cylinder motorcycle again. People say I’ve only had success on twins, but I’ve never had the chance to ride a top-specification four-cylinder machine, so I’m excited at the chance to prove to people I can race and win on a four too!"
