Airwaves Ducati put the last few days behind them and got on with the job at round 4 of the British Superbike Championship today. Shane Byrne finished the first session on top and the second in 4th place, whilst team mate Leon Camier was 5th and 7th.
A number of red flags disrupted both 50 minute sessions but the Airwaves Ducati riders still completed an impressive 103 laps. Shane was lapping consistently throughout the day; he recorded his fastest time, 1:32.419, on lap 20 of 26 in the second session. Leon’s quickest time of 1:33.101 came on his final lap of the day, after he had completed more laps than any other competitor.
Leon is confident he will go faster tomorrow saying; “The second session today was a little frustrating as I was struggling to get a clear lap. I know I can go quicker tomorrow and I know what I need to do differently to go faster. The bike is feeling good and as long as I do a few things differently tomorrow, including sticking to my race lines better, then I should be quicker. I am aiming for a front row start but we will see have to see how qualifying goes.”
Despite having slipped off in second practice Shane was pleased with his day’s performance. “The Airwaves Ducati is working well here; I have been really looking forward to coming to Donington, as I knew this circuit would suit the Ducati 1098R. So far it has gone just as I expected and I have been going faster and faster…although that did cause me to slip off in the second session! It was a bit pathetic really, I had done a great lap with a really fast first and second sector but as I was coming into the last turn I was going a little too fast and I just tucked the front. It was the slowest and most graceful fall I think I have ever done and I am absolutely fine! My mechanics repaired the damage to the bike so I was able to finish the session on the same bike. Everything is working well; we’ve got a good setting for the dry and my race pace is strong so I am feeling confident for rest of the weekend!”
Qualifying for round 4 of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship commences tomorrow at 14.10pm.
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