As the session drew to an end, Byrne’s crew changed his rear tyre in under 30-seconds so he could get out for a final qualifying lap. He didn’t disappoint and recorded his fastest time of the weekend.

Steve Plater scored his best qualifying position with the team in ninth, just a fraction off the second row. Ducati’s Leon Haslam is on pole position.

Superbike racing starts at 1315 on Monday, August 28th, at the 2.18-mile long picturesque Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire.

Shane Byrne:

“My technicians were simply mega. They changed my rear tyre before I could blink and that allowed me to get out and have one final go at a qualifying lap before the end of the session. After the effort they put in I thought I had better get on the front row or they’d lynch me!

“I am real happy with my Rizla Suzuki. It’s handling well and giving me a lot of confidence through the corners. Cadwell Park isn’t the easiest place to overtake other riders so starting from the front is just what I needed. I’m looking forward to the races.”

Steve Plater:

“We tried the development fuel cell bike and a conventional GSX-R1000 during practice. I decided to use the conventional bike for qualifying and the races as it is giving me more accuracy through the corners and at the moment I’m finding it easier to ride.

“While I really wanted a second row start, ninth here is actually a pretty good place to be as I will start on the same side of the track as pole position, lining me up perfectly for the first corner. With my home fans cheering me on, I’ll be trying to get as high up the top 10 as possible in the races.”

Niall Mackenzie - Race Operations Manager:

“Well done to Shakey’s technicians for getting him out for a final lap right at the end of the session - and to him for converting that to a front row start. It was a gutsy ride and experience has taught me the more guts you have, the better the results you get at Cadwell Park, so we are optimistic he can do well here.

“After riding the development bike at the last two rounds, Steve had fairly limited time on the conventional GSX-R1000 before qualifying. For him to get inside the top 10 after so little time on the bike is impressive. Cadwell Park is his home circuit and he’ll be encouraged by the local fans and that could help him climb the results sheets tomorrow.”

Qualifying Times: 1: Leon Haslam (Ducati) 1:26.392, 2: Gregorio Lavilla (Ducati) +0.291, 3: Shane Byrne (Rizla Suzuki) +0.648, 4: Tommy Hill (Yamaha) +0.654, 5: Karl Harris (Honda) +0.673, 6: Jonathan Rea (Honda) +0.769, 7: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) +1.244, 8: Michael Rutter (Honda) +1.247, 9: Steve Plater (Rizla Suzuki) +1.439, 10: Michael Laverty (Honda) +1.687.

Audi Performance Award (after round 11 of 13): 1: Haslam 75, 2: Lavilla 67 3: Harris 52, 4=: Kiyonari, Rea 45, 6: Shane Byrne (Rizla Suzuki) 36, 7: Rutter 32, 8: Hill 15, 9: James Haydon (Rizla Suzuki) 12, 10: Thomas 11.