Following the Bank Holiday Monday British Superbike round at Cadwell Park that makes a total of six races that Shakey has been off the top of the podium. This is reminiscent of last season when Gregorio Lavilla, also on the Airwaves Ducati, stormed away at the top of the championship after several race wins and then it all went horribly wrong in the second half of the season and the championship eventually went to Ryuichi Kiyonari.

So, is Shane Byrne going the same way?

Airwaves Ducati Team Manager Colin Wright thinks not and indeed Shane himself is putting a brave face on it, as he is still getting on the podium and there is no doubt that he is hungry for another win. But his lead is getting eaten away, especially after Shakey’s DNF at Knockhill and we are now seeing a resurgent Tom Sykes on the Rizla Suzuki who has jumped to second in the championship and Leon Haslam who has three victories in a row including doing the double at Cadwell Park.

Despite what Ducati or Shakey say, when the championship standings get closer it makes it so much more exciting for the fans, who can forget the final of the 2006 championship and the three-way battle at Brands?

The next round is at Croft on 12-14 September you can get more information and tickets from BritishSuperbike.com