British Superbikes: Knockhill double for Shane Byrne

However, Laverty received a one-second time penalty for overtaking Milwaukee Yamaha rider Brookes under waved double yellow flags in the opening race, pushing him back to fourth overall in the classification.

Byrne was equal to the challenge, smashing the lap record as he led throughout to take his fifth victory of the season.

As a result, Byrne led a PBM Kawasaki 1-2 from Easton with Brookes inherited the final rostrum position from Laverty.

The event starts tomorrow (Friday) with general practice, with qualifying on Saturday for the Superbikes and some support races, the full race on Sunday from 9am each day.

“Then Michael Laverty came under me and there was a bit of contact, so I lost the tow to Shakey”.

“The second race was a lot better and it’s more points and podium credits, so thanks to the team and well done to everyone at Knockhill for doing a great job”.

“We were on the podium at Knockhill a year ago so I really would like that to happen again!”

Josh Brookes – 3rd / 0’48.508 – “My main premonition turned out to be quite correct”. Stuart Easton (PBM Kawasaki) 139, 4.

Championship leading riders Shakey Byrne and James Ellison, Scottish stars Taylor and Tarren Mackenzie and local Ducati Champions Dennis Hobbs, from Kelty, were all happy to oblige as they crossed the famous landmark.

Jason O’Halloran was 13th quickest on Friday.

Despite his frustrations Laverty closed the gap between himself and a Showdown spot and now sits ten points off his Tyco BMW team-mate Tommy Bridewell who is sixth in the riders’ championship. Dan Linfoot (Honda Racing) 54, 9. Howie Mainwaring (Quattro Plant Kawasaki) 45.

The Motorpoint British Supersport race was won by Kyle Ryde, of CG Motorsport, with East Kilbride’s Matthew Paulo, riding for Colin Appleyard, taking third place in the Evo class.

Dennis Hobbs, Greg Gilfillan and Michael Robertson also enjoyed podium success in the Ducati Tri-Options Cup and Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Championships respectively.