TWO riders, Suzuki's Tom Sykes and Honda's Leon Haslam, each won a round of the British Superbike Championship at Knockhill.
It was a horrific 160mph crash involving runaway championship leader Shane Byrne, though, which overshadowed the weekend.
Seven days after English racer Craig Jones was tragically killed in the World Superbike race at Brands Hatch, Byrne lost cont
rol of his Ducati as he led yesterday's second race into Duffus Dip. As the Zurich-based Englishman touched the brakes, his bike slewed on a damp piece of the Fife track and immediately slid from beneath him before slithering into the gravel trap.
Former champ Byrne meanwhile was catapulted through the air before he too hit the gravel and came to rest against the protective barrier at the side of the track.
The race, which had previously been stopped following an earlier crash, was immediately red-flagged. After being treated at the scene by doctors, and having a neck brace fitted, Byrne was able to wave to the crowd before being whisked away for precautionary x-rays at hospital. Initial reports confirmed Byrne had not suffered any serious injury.
Haslam meanwhile, who started both races from pole position and was hounding Byrne before the crash, was overjoyed with his win.
"It's been a long, long time coming," said Haslam, who hadn't won for 17 races.
Despite his crash, Byrne heads to Cadwell Park for the next round having extended his lead over Honda's Cal Crutchlow from 99 points to 110.
The full article contains 254 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
