Superbike champ Shane Byrne apologises over podium video shame
06:41, 03 April 2021
updated: 08:21, 03 April 2021
Kent superbike champion Shane Byrne has apologised after a video emerged showing his 'shocking' treatment of a woman on the winner's podium.
The video, which KentOnline has decided not to show, shows the six-times champion shake the bottle of drink before spraying it over the victim - then crouching down and aiming the spray up her skirt.
It was shot in 2013 but has recently resurfaced on social media.
Byrne took to Instagram last night to apologise for his behaviour.
He said: "I realise I ought to have made this apology earlier, not doing so has been completely wrong.
"I am aware of a video clip from 2013 that is currently being shared and reacted to across all social media platforms and I would like to sincerely apologise to the lady and the other women on the podium that day.
"My behaviour was completely inappropriate and unacceptable in every way. It is a moment I hugely regret and I am deeply sorry to the lady, my fans and to anyone else offended by my actions."
His apology did little to quell the anger over the clip.
Social media user Tim O'Donnell tweeted: "End of Shane Byrne's career, hopefully."
Another added: "This is grotesque, and the poor woman assaulted here can't even fight back because it would be the end her career rather than his.
Others said Byrne, who commentated for Eurosport in 2019, should not appear on screen in the future, adding: "Apparently he’s a pundit now for one of the satellite channels. Should be taken off air in my opinion."
Another Twitter user said: "Absolutely horrendous behaviour. As someone who modelled at car shows (not the same but kinda) I can only imagine how humiliating and upsetting this would be."
Byrne, 44, who went to The St John's High School for Boys in Sittingbourne and is known as Shakey to his fans, suffered serious injuries involving multiple fractures to his upper body after crashing during a test at Snetterton Circuit in May when placed third in the championship.
He was successfully treated at Norwich University Hospital and confirmed the extent of his injuries via social media.
KentOnline understands the video was shot at the opening round of the British Superbike Championship in April 2013.
