A double win for Shane Byrne on Sunday made it 44 race wins in the British Superbike Championship - more than any other rider in the sport’s history.

The Sittingbourne rider, pictured, won race two at Thruxton to pass Ryuichi Kiyonari’s previous record and extend his lead at the top of the 2013 rider standings after two rounds.

Defending champion Byrne claimed a dramatic win in race one, after a last lap, last corner move on Josh Brookes gave him victory.

It was an afternoon to forget for Kiyonari. He crashed out of race two on the opening lap and then had to watch as his rival Byrne took the honours once again and with it the Japanese rider’s crown as best BSB rider ever.

Byrne held off the rest of the field once more to go 15 points clear after two rounds and four races. Round three starts on May 4 at Oulton Park.

Picture: Simon Hildrew