Round two of the 2017 MCE British Superbike Championship heads for Brands Hatch in Kent this Easter weekend with Be Wiser Ducati Racing Team riders Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne and Glenn Irwin looking for their first victories of the season.

Five-times and defending champion Byrne was ruled out of action after suffering minor concussion in morning warm up at Donington Park at the opening round but is now fit and raring to go. The Sittingbourne rider plans to reduce the points gap to rival Leon Haslam at his local track where he has won seven times, including at the corresponding meeting last year, where he took the first victory for the brand new Be Wiser Ducati Panigale R.

Meanwhile Irwin, from Carrickfergus, is hoping to continue his brilliant start to the season when he followed up sixth place in the opening race of the season with a superb podium in the second outing at Donington Park on the factory-backed Be Wiser Ducati Panigale R. The Ulsterman occupies fifth in the early season title race and is hoping to maintain that good form on the fast and furious Indy track over the bank holiday.

Shane Byrne: “I’m very hopeful of getting my title defence off to a far better start during round two at Brands Hatch than I did at Donington Park, that’s for sure! To be fair that shouldn’t be at all difficult seeing as a crash in warm up put me out of the round one races, so I’m a little behind having missed those races. But the plan is to make up for it in a big way this bank holiday weekend and where better than at my local circuit of Brands Hatch. I always enjoy racing there and am counting on plenty of support.”

Glenn Irwin: “I can’t wait to get back on my Be Wiser Ducati this weekend, I’ve had a busy time since Donington Park with a business trip to Italy and upping my training. We have some upgrades to phase in this weekend which is always great but regardless of that, the goal is to continue our Donington form. I was delighted to get on the podium at the first meeting so I’ll be disappointed if I don’t manage it again as I like the feeling.”

Phil Borley, Technical Director: “After a mixed weekend at the first round of the championship, we are hoping for better fortunes at Brands Hatch for the Easter weekend. Shakey is fully recovered from his unfortunate crash at Donington and very keen to get his title defence back on track. Glenn is confident of some good results after his strong start to the season, so we are looking forward to a very competitive weekend.”

Championship Points (after one round)

1 L Haslam 50pts

2 L Mossey 31

3 J Brookes 29

= C Iddon 29

5 G Irwin 26

6 P Hickman 21

For more information, please visit www.pbmuk.net or www.britishsuperbike.com.