KENT rider Shane Byrne is celebrating after claiming his first MotoGP top 10 finish in round four in Italy.

It was a sweet moment for the reigning British Superbike champion as the race was at his Aprilia team’s home track at Mugello in Tuscany.

Byrne, 27, from Minster, on the Isle of Sheppey, said: "I just felt really comfortable with my bike, even using slick tyres in the wet, which is usually a no-go, but all the top boys were doing it and it worked.”

Byrne missed the last round in France after breaking a bone in his right hand in Jerez in round two, but intensive physiotherapy, laser therapy and pain-killing injections allowed him to race on Sunday.

He added: “The hand swells up after every ride, but its holding up and will only get stronger. I’m not concerned about it. I’m now looking forward to a whole new battle in round five in Catalunya, but I know it’s going to be tough. Just because I’ve broken into the top 10 does not mean I can expect it to be a regular thing."

Byrne’s British team-mate Jeremy McWilliams, who broke two ribs in a crash in practise on Friday, finished in 16th position.

STANDINGS (field of 23): 1 Sete Gibernau (Movistar Honda) 86pts, 2 Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 76pts, 3 Max Biaggi (Honda Camel) 72pts, 4 Alex Barros (Honda Repsol) 48pts, 5 Carlos Checa (Yamaha) 36pts, 16 Shane Byrne (Aprilia) 7pts, 22 Jeremy McWilliams (Aprilia) 3pts.