Shane Byrne secured a win and a second place finish in the British Superbike Championship at Mallory Park.

In an eventful first race, Byrne, from Sittingbourne, was in fifth as the leading group moved away from the rest of the field. He then picked off the Suzuki and two Hondas, eventually taking the lead on lap 26. He pulled away to take the chequered flag and his eighth win of the season.

Following a shower, as the riders were lining up on the grid for race two, the race was declared wet. Byrne opted for slick rear tyres and intermediate fronts as the racing line appeared to be drying.

Byrne worked his way through the field to second position by lap 13. However, the gap to the race leader Michael Rutter was too large and, despite challenges on his position from Cal Crutchlow, he crossed the line in second place.

Byrne said: “It was an interesting day. I know I have said I don’t like this circuit much but I am pleased with the results I have achieved here.

"If somebody had told me beforehand that I was going to come away from Mallory Park with a win and a second place I would have bitten their hand off, so I am pleased with it.

"All the circuits I don’t really like are out of the way now and I have a good lead in the championship at the half way point in the season so I am confident going to Oulton Park in a few weeks and hopefully it will go as well as it has so far.”

Round seven of the Bennetts British Superbike championship takes place at Oulton Park on Sunday, July 20.