Shane Byrne won the second race at Oulton Park

London rider Shane Byrne picked up his first British Superbikes victory of the season at Oulton Park last weekend.

In the opening race at the Cheshire circuit Chris Walker claimed his first win of the campaign, much to the Kawasaki rider’s delight.

“It’s amazing really. I’ve missed winning a race for so long, though I always felt it was in me to do it but I began to think it would never happen again and that it might have gone away,” he said.

“It had been nice to keep up with Shakey – last year we were at a totally different level but the new rules have altered that. Now I can hold my own and take them on in a level playing field,” added Walker who was unable to repeat his performance next time out, having to settle for ninth.

Byrne had to work hard to take the victory next time out. His Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki team-mate Stuart Easton made the early charge with Josh Brookes and Tommy Hill, once they had taken Walker in hot pursuit. But, the former two times winner of the title was soon reeling them in, moving into second place just into the second half of the race.

Hill, who on Sunday had won the race postponed from Brands Hatch aboard his Swan Yamaha, was under intense pressure and it was no surprise that Byrne pushed ahead of him at Lakeside with two laps remaining to take a victory that consolidates his third place in the overall standings.

Hill remains at the top of the overall standings, leading by six points over Tyco Suzuki’s Brookes who finished the race in fourth place, adrift of the determined Easton who claimed his first podium of the season.