Shane Byrne sticks with PBM for 2016 BSB season

Author: Oli Rushby Pics: Impact Images Posted: 04 Oct 2015

Byrne will stay with PBM next season

Four time British Superbike Champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne will remain with the PBM Team in the series for a fifth consecutive year in 2016.

The announcement comes ahead of two pivotal races in the 2015 British Superbike title fight with Byrne looking to keep his championship battle alive. 

Despite his usual strong start to the season, things haven’t been easy for Byrne this year. He’s endured a number of tough weekends while archrival Josh Brookes has romped ahead. 

The Aussie leads the Englishman by 23 points with five races remaining and should the gap significantly increase this weekend, Byrne could find it hard to retain his title come Brands Hatch in two weeks’ time.

Brookes chases Byrne

Nevertheless, the 38-year-old has committed his future to the Paul Bird-run team, which has taken him to all but one of his four British titles.

“The beauty of riding for PBM, and Paul and I having the kind of relationship we have, means there is no need to hold lengthy negotiations and after a five minute chat in the garage, we sorted the deal out,” said Byrne. “We both know we give each other 100% and I’m very happy with the people around me. We are about to enter a very exciting new chapter in PBM and I’m really excited to be a part of it.”

 The team’s statement makes no reference as to what bike Byrne will be riding next year, nor as to who his team mate will be but paddock speculation links the Cumbrian outfit with a shock switch to either Ducati or Aprilia machinery.  

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