MCE BRITISH SUPERBIKE HIGH FLIERS SET FOR CADWELL PARK DOGFIGHT The stakes are rising in the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship as Cadwell Park hosts the penultimate round before the Showdown this August Bank Holiday weekend (24/25/26). Three riders have already secured their position in the end of season title fight confirmed as Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki), Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) and Alex Lowes (Samsung Honda) claimed their Showdown place last time out at Oulton Park. The trio now turn their attention to claiming podium finishes ahead of the next stage of the season. Byrne, who missed the Cadwell Park races last year through injury, said: “Some of the other teams have a bit of a head start as they have tested recently but the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki team have been working hard at base and I have been flat out so we will be ready. We are through to the Showdown and now all that matters at the next two rounds are the podium credits and will go out to score the maximum.” Brookes, renowned for his sensational airborne style at the Mountain section of the track, said: “We have had two wins from the last two rounds so that might play on the minds of the other guys as it proves what we are capable of. We have a place in the Showdown and the only thing that will make a difference now is the podium credits. I think the three of us who are already through will try as hard as always and we will be pushing each other all the way. I am also ready to give the Tyco Suzuki a bit of air time!” Lincoln’s home hope, Lowes, added: “The goal was to get into the Showdown at the earliest opportunity, so to box that off was good. Now I need to start upping my game and building so that we are ready for the Showdown. If the Cadwell Park races are going to be like Oulton then it will be great for us riders and the fans too. I have good memories of Cadwell Park as last year as I had my first podium finish and we need strong results again. Everyone is so close that it is down to the riders to make it count.” The final three places in the Showdown are still up for the taking and Milwaukee Yamaha’s James Ellison will want to carry his winning form from Oulton Park into this weekend at a track that the team have claimed the last five race victories. He can claim his position this weekend but he needs to remain ahead of the second Samsung Honda of Ryuichi Kiyonari who is just 16 points adrift in fifth place as he prepares for his home round. The Buildbase BMWs will also need to make this weekend count as Jon Kirkham holds the important sixth place in the standings, just nine points ahead of his team-mate James Westmoreland ahead of the Hull-based rider’s home circuit. The pair have been a match for each other so far this season but American hotshot PJ Jacobsen, Nottingham’s Chris Walker and Halsall Racing Kawasaki’s Tommy Bridewell are also set to challenge in Lincolnshire this weekend. For more information visit www.britishsuperbike.com