HM PLANT Honda has announced Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne is to partner 2010 BSB Champion Ryuichi Kiyonari in next year's British Superbike Championship.
Byrne, who won two BSB titles in 2003 and 2008, joins the HM Plant Honda team after a stint in the Althea Ducati World Superbike squad.
Building on their long term relationship since 2004, Honda (UK) Racing and HM Plant Honda will also be continuing their successful partnership and performance for the eighth consecutive year.
Both Kiyo and Shakey will be riding 2011 specification HM Plant Honda CBR1000RR Fireblades, developed from this year’s title winning machine.
Shakey said: “I’m delighted to be joining HM Plant Honda. I’ve spent many years in BSB competing against them so I know just how strong the team is – finishing first and second in 2010 is testament to that. My clear aim is to join Kiyo and Niall Mackenzie in having three British titles to my name! I’m looking forward to working with Kiyo as he obviously knows the bike like the back of his hand; he’s a cool guy and I think we will work well together. I’m also looking forward to riding a four-cylinder motorcycle again. People say I’ve only had success on twins, but I’ve never had the chance to ride a top-specification four-cylinder machine, so I’m excited at the chance to prove to people I can race and win on a four too!”
