BYRNE GUNNING FOR THE TOP AS MCE BSB HITS HIGH-SPEED THRUXTON CIRCUIT Defending champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne aims to remain the top gun in the second round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship this weekend (12/13/14 April) at the high-speed Thruxton circuit as the riders prepare for the fastest round on the calendar. The former RAF airfield is fast and unforgiving and is known to produce some unpredictable results with the ability to slip-stream at speeds of up to 180mph. Byrne is a former race winner at the Hampshire track, but so is rival triple champion Ryuichi Kiyonari who missed out on the podium at round one and Brands Hatch podium finisher Josh Brookes. Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki’s Byrne said: “You could see from Brands Hatch that we are pushing hard as a team for wins in every race. I can’t wait for Thruxton as before last weekend we were all on edge and we can start to enjoy it now we have got the first one out of the way. We are like addicts wanting to get our next fix of racing and a place like Thruxton with the fast, flat out nature of the track is fantastic to stretch the legs of the bike and really let rip! Fingers crossed that we can have another consistent weekend and come away with another two top results.” Alex Lowes scored his maiden pole position at the track in 2011 and after opening the season with a brace of second places will be aiming to go one better for Samsung Honda, whilst Milwaukee Yamaha’s James Ellison will want a repeat of his win at the opening round. Thruxton also marks the home round of Martin Jessopp on the RidersMotorcycles BMW, the Quattro Plant Bournemouth Kawasaki team and Rapido Sport Racing Ducati as Italian champion Matteo Baiocco debuts at Thruxton. For more information visit www.britishsuperbike.com More, from a press release issued by Milwaukee Yamaha: MILWAUKEE YAMAHA AIM TO CARRY WINNING MOMENTUM TO THRUXTON Thruxton circuit in Hampshire awaits the Milwaukee Yamaha team for the second round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship this weekend. James Ellison is fully focused on continuing his winning momentum whilst Josh Waters is aiming to build on his experiences from round one. The 2.35-mile circuit produces some of the closest action of the season with the high-speed nature providing constant slip-streaming opportunities. Ellison has been a podium finisher before for Yamaha and is ready to build on his win just a few days ago at Brands Hatch. Waters is ready for the challenge of the new circuit and having scored a top ten finish on his MCE BSB debut is feeling positive about the weekend ahead. Ellison said: “This weekend is one I am really looking forward to and if myself and the Milwaukee Yamaha team continue to work as hard as we have been then I am sure it will continue to pay off. It is a fun circuit and one that we have seen in the past that the Yamaha really works well around. I think we definitely have the potential of another good weekend and hopefully the chance to be back on the podium for the Milwaukee team.” Waters said: “Looking at Thruxton it seems to have very similar characteristics to the tracks we have back home in Australia so for me that is pretty cool. I think I learnt a lot from the first round last weekend so we just need to keep moving forwards with things and get two good results. The Milwaukee Yamaha feels good and I am looking forward to this track as it looks really fast.” In the Motorpoint British Supersport Championship William Dunlop is aiming for a pair of solid finishes after a challenging opening round at Brands Hatch. For more information visit www.milwaukeeyamaha.com