Victory number two of the season for Sittingbourne's Shane Byrne

Shane Byrne was on fire at MCE Insurance British Superbike round three in more ways than one as he emerged from the weekend with his championship lead intact.

In a dramatic race one, severely hampered by the weather, Byrne’s bike caught alight seven laps in while leading the field.

The HM Plant Honda crew worked hard between races to fix the problem and it paid dividends as Byrne fired himself to victory in race two, nearly two seconds ahead of Stuart Easton.

The earlier problems in race one had seen him drop to second in the overall standing behind American John Hopkins, who finished the opener in second, but Byrne returned to the top in style at Croft.

“I was desperate to do a good job for the team and obviously it is all about winning,” said Byrne – who leads the overall standings with 95 points, three ahead of Hopkins.

“I got away in the first race and unfortunately had a mechanical problem but in fairness the HM Plant Honda Fireblade has not missed a beat the whole time I have been on it.

“That was the first ever breakdown and it was unfortunate it was in a race but the boys did a good job got it all sorted out and we won race two so I am happy.

“I wish it could have been the double for us because this is a big round for HM Plant Honda but I was happy to win after qualifying on pole.”

British Eurosport 2 will be broadcasting every round of the 2011 British Superbike Championship. The channel is available on Sky 411 & Virgin Media 525. Watch online via the Eurosport Player.