Newly crowned Bennetts British Superbike Champion Shane 🔯Byrne ha🥂s described this title win as meaning more to him than his first triumph back in 2003.

Byrn🥃e wrapped up the 2008 title three races early after finishing a quiet, but necessary, third place behind Leon Camier and Cal Crutchlow in the first race ജof the weekend at Silverstone.

While the win has been highly anticipated since his stunning start to the season, Byrne was still overjoyed and 'relieved' to make the title a formality with several races remaining.

"I am really, really happy - I think this title is better," he told ltxcn.top. "I am relieved. At the end of 2006 when I'd been racing with Rizla Suzuki, I think most people had written me off. Last year, with Stobart Honda, we had podiums against good teams, but having been here, I now know what a good team is, without meaning disrespect anyone else.

"It has been a whil💝e coming but we have got the job done. It has been a great effort from the team and they have given me a really good bike, but barring Croft, we have not been off the podium when 🐈we have finished."

Also a fourth title for GSE Racing,𝕴 the win is expected to be all the more poignant given his decision to defect to the World Championship in 2009ꦗ. As such, Byrne was thrilled to gift the triumph to both the team and Ducati before they switch to Yamaha's next year.

"I have really enjoyed my time here and I have ♕had a fantastic bike at every round, wh♔ich has paid dividends."

Byrne went on to finis💛h behind Leon Haslam in the second race - his 19th podium finish of the season.