Ellison enjoys early Superbikes success at Brands Hatch

A mistake with three laps to go cost Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne the chance of pushing him all the way to the finish.

Byrne again hit the front of the field on the opening lap of the race from Ellison and Alex Lowes.

But the Milwaukee Yamaha rider edged ahead to take the lead from the reigning champion on the second lap.

The pair were inseparable at the front of the field with Lowes chasing hard.

Byrne looked set to make a move as Ellison had a moment out of Graham Hill Bend with three laps remaining and the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki was forced to run on at Surtees to avoid a collision.

The move dropped Byrne back to third after he rejoined the track behind Lowes as Ellison claimed the win.

Samsung Honda’s Ryuichi Kiyonari had an improved second race as he returned to the top five and maintained his position ahead of Josh Brookes on the Tyco Suzuki and Jon Kirkham on the Buildbase BMW.

In the closing stages Karl Harris was able to push ahead of Chris Walker after bouncing back from his crashes this morning.

James Westmoreland scored an impressive ninth place after his crash in race one and Keith Farmer completed the top 10.

Byrne got his title defence off to a flying start in the opening race of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship season at Brands Hatch as he held off Lowes and Brookes to claim victory at his home circuit.

The race was red flagged with just over a lap remaining when Dan Linfoot and James Westmoreland both crashed out on the run to Graham Hill Bend with the pair battling for seventh position.

Westmoreland escaped largely unscathed after the crash while Linfoot was left with a cracked pelvis injury.

The next major event at Brands Hatch is the British Truck Racing Championship on April 20 and April 21.

Tickets are available in advance for £18 with free admission for children aged 12 and under.

For more information, visit brandshatch.co.uk or call 0843 453 9000.

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