SHAKEY BYRNE SIGNS FOR STOBART HONDA
 After weeks of
speculation, Paul Bird Motorsport is pleased to announce that Shane
‘Shakey’ Byrne and Tom Sykes are the two riders to contest the 2007
British Superbike Championship for the Stobart Honda team.
Following two seasons in MotoGP followed by a year back in BSB in 2006, 29
year old Byrne, originally from Sittingbourne in Kent but now resident
in Zurich, rejoins the team that took him to the 2003 British Superbike
Championship as well as a double World Superbike victory aboard a
Ducati.
Sykes, meanwhile, the 21
year old Yorkshireman from Huddersfield, steps up to the Superbike
class for 2007 having contested the British Supersport Championship for
the past few seasons which included him finishing as runner up in 2006.
The pair will use the
Phil Borley prepared Honda Fireblade CBR1000RR’s in the thirteen round
series which kicks off at Brands Hatch over the Easter weekend (April
7/9th)
Shane Byrne:
“I had other options,
including rides in the World Championship, but I decided to go with the
Stobart team as I know them and we’ve enjoyed a lot of success together
in the past. Unlike last year, we’ll be undertaking a full winter test
schedule which will hopefully allow us to start the season very strong.
The bikes are good and the team has been working hard to make sure we
can be in with a shout of winning and I’m very happy to be reunited
with the team and Paul Bird”
Tom Sykes:
“I’m really looking
forward to the season and I know I’ve got a great team behind me. They
have won two British Superbike Championships and have a lot of
experience so I can’t wait to get started. It’s going to be a steep
learning curve for me but it’s one I’m relishing and I hope to be
challenging for podiums as the season progresses. It’s a very relaxed
atmosphere in Birdy’s team and I’m also looking forward to working with
Shakey so let’s bring it on!”
Paul Bird:
“The team and the
sponsors are delighted to have the chance to work with Shakey again, as
indeed I am, and we are hoping to continue our previously successful
relationship which I’m sure we will. I’ve also been a fan of Tom’s for
a long time and we’re under no illusions that it’s going to be tough
but he’ll fit in well with our team and he’s one for the future. We’re
well on with our plans for testing and hope to get back to our winning
ways in 2007.”
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