With Althea Racing down to a one rider and the World Superbike paddock in a cost cutting mode, Shane Byrne will be returning to the British Superbike Championship and riding for HM Plant Honda next season.
HM Plant will effectively be having a ‘dream team’; confirming this year’s winner Ryuichi Kiyonari and Shane Byrne who have won the title 3 and 2 times respectively.
Byrne had been recently linked to Swan Honda and Kiyonari to a Moto2 ride, with Byrne taking up Havier Beltran’s offer and the Japanese rider deciding to staying in BSB and looking to win his 4th title.
Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne 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!”
