Two Retirements End Dismal Weekend For Byrne

March 3, 2009

Any hopes of of establishing a strong early position in the World Superbikes Championship faded very quickly for Shane Byrne last weekend, as both his races at the Phillip Island circuit ended in early retirements.

Byrne was already struggling in warm ups and qualifying as he missed pre-season testing at the same circuit a week earlier, and things only got worse on race day as a crash due to tyre problems forced him out of the first race, injuring his hand in the process.

Despite the setback Byrne started the second race, but after only managing to fight for placement just outside the top ten another fall ended his race.

Of his weekend Byrne said:

“I had a good start in race one, but I noticed that the tyres were slipping in an odd way in the early laps. I tried to recover, but after seven laps I slipped off. Although I had a hand injury, I didn’t give up and started race two as well.

“I had a pretty good start, but after 11 laps, while I was trying to overtake Smrz, I got very wide on the corner. I tried to hold trajectory but the bike locked up and I crashed. Nevertheless, I am beginning to understand how hard-fought the SBK is, especially in the first laps.”

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Written by RSW · Filed Under World Superbikes