This time 12 months ago Shane Byrne was cursing the system after being denied the MCE Insurance British Superbike crown – however on Sunday he was doing anything but as he claimed the title for the third time.

The 35-year-old won two out of the three races at the 2011 season finale at Brands Hatch and yet, despite leading before the Showdown rules applied for the last three rounds, he finished third overall.

This season Byrne was third before the Showdown after missing the previous two rounds with a shoulder injury but moved to second after round ten at Assen and into the lead after round 11 at Silverstone.

And there was to be no stopping the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki rider at the season finale at Brands Hatch as he won all three races to become the third rider to win the British Superbike title for the third time.

It looked as if it would be two wins and a second until the penultimate lap of the last race when Byrne expertly passed closest rival Josh Brookes – but he admitted he wouldn’t have settled for anything less.

"That was amazing and I am ecstatic. It would have been cruel not to have tried for the win and it has been such an incredible season. I am really emotional right now," said Byrne.

"That’s not bad for a weekend’s work and whereas the previous two British titles I’ve won have been wrapped up well in advance this one went right down to the final race so it’s probably the hardest.

"I’d like to pay tribute to the team for giving me the tools to do the business this season and it’s great to work with Paul Bird once again."

Byrne had barely been given the British Superbike trophy when questions were being asked about his future movements with an internal move from Paul Bird’s BSB team to his MotoGP one suggested.

A holiday and a few celebratory drinks will come first but Byrne did hint at staying in the BSB paddock in order to become the first man to win the title four times.

He added: "What it now means is I have to think about coming back here next year to defend the title as I’d like to beat the record of three championship victories achieved by Niall Mackenzie and Ryuichi Kiyonari."

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