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Shane Byrne boosts British Superbike title bid with late move on rival Ryuichi Kiyonari

00:00, 22 September 2014

updated: 08:15, 22 September 2014

Shane Byrne Picture: Ravensdale/PSP
Shane Byrne Picture: Ravensdale/PSP

Shane Byrne reignited his bid for a fourth British Superbike crown with a dramatic late move on title rival Ryuichi Kiyonari.

Byrne crashed out of the first race at Dutch circuit Assen on Sunday and looked set to finish second in race two before overtaking fellow three-time champion Kiyonari on the final corner of the last lap to win by 0.152sec.

It was a first victory in 13 races for the Sittingbourne rider on his Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki and could hardly have come at a more important time after the disappointment of the opening race when he crashed three laps from home while third.

That race was won by Tyco Suzuki rider Josh Waters, with Kiyonari second.

Byrne has seen his 26-point lead reduced to 12 by Kiyonari following the opening round of the Showdown but was delighted to end his victory drought.

Shakey said: "I'm over the moon. It has been a long time since I won a race, though it was almost cruel to take it like that.

"I had looked at a way past Kiyo but it was going to be a bit of a gamble, though on the last lap we were really close."

The next meeting is at Silverstone on October 5.

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