HM Plant Honda's Shane 'Shakey' Byrne returned to the top step of the podium in the second MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship race of the day at Croft to take the lead in the overall standings by three points from John Hopkins.

Byrne said:

"I wish it could have been a double win here today for HM Plant Honda as I have been desperate to do a good job here this weekend. It was disappointing we had our first mechanical problem of the year in the opening race but we bounced back for the second one and I am pleased we still have the championship lead."

Gary Mason led off the line on the MSS Colchester Kawasaki from Hopkins and Byrne but the HM Plant Honda rider then took the lead at Clervaux from Mason at the start of the second lap. There was drama at the end of the opening lap as Jon Kirkham and Michael Laverty battled for positions and as the pair diced the Swan Yamaha rider looked set to try and take the position back that Kirkham has stolen earlier in the lap, but the pair collided at Tower Bend and both crashed out. The incident caused the Nissan GTR safety car to be deployed with the race order Byrne, Mason, John Hopkins and Michael Rutter.

Hopkins was up to second when the race resumed, passing into Clervaux as Stuart Easton was also moving up the order further down the field. Mason wasn't prepared to settle in behind Hopkins, taking the position back a lap later at the Complex as Byrne edged out at the front.

Easton had moved ahead of Michael Rutter across the line for fourth on the ninth lap to try and close in on Mason and Hopkins who were battling for second as the MSS Colchester Kawasaki of Easton then made a pass on Hopkins to move third and have his team-mate in his sights. Easton took the advantage at the Complex to move second with Mason third and Hopkins fourth as Josh Brookes closed in on the Relentless Suzuki in fifth.

Dan Linfoot was also working his way into contention but he crashed out at Tower on the eleventh lap, with Rutter lucky to miss the stricken Sorrymate.com Honda after he clipped Peter Hickman.

Hopkins could then spy a potential podium finish and he made a determined move at Tower on Mason to return to third. The MSS Colchester Kawasaki rider then came under fire from Brookes who pulled a similar move to Hopkins to move ahead of Mason on the 15th lap to move further up the order.

Byrne then held off his rivals to secure his second race win of the season with Easton in second and Hopkins third. Brookes was fourth ahead of Loris Baz and an exceptional ride from Tommy Hill in sixth. Mason dropped to seventh ahead of Rutter and Hickman and Tommy Bridewell rounded out the top ten. Ryuichi Kiyonari worked his way up the order but still was only able to finish in 15th position.

Alex Lowes was again victorious in the Mirror.co.uk BSB Evo class ahead of team-mate Glen Richards and Barry Burrell.

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Croft, race two result:

Shane Byrne (HM Plant Honda)
Stuart Easton (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +1.887s
John Hopkins (Samsung Crescent Racing) +2.269s
Josh Brookes (Relentless Suzuki) +2.461s
Loris Baz (Motorpoint Yamaha) +5.517s
Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha) +6.094s
Gary Mason (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +6.748s
Michael Rutter (Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati) +8.120s
Peter Hickman (Tyco Honda) +8.397s
Tommy Bridewell (Tyco Honda) +9.657s

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship standings after Croft:

Shane Byrne (HM Plant Honda) 95
John Hopkins (Samsung Crescent Racing) 92
Stuart Easton (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) 89
Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) 59
Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha) 57
Jon Kirkham (Samsung Crescent Racing) 55