Shane Byrne (motorcyclist)

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Shane 'Shakey' Byrne
Byrne at Oulton Park British Superbikes in 2013
NationalityBritish
Born (1976-12-10) 10 December 1976 (age 47)
Lambeth, London
Bike number67
Websiteshakey.com
Motorcycle racing career statistics
MotoGP World Championship
Active years2004-2005
ManufacturersAprilia, Proton-KTM, Honda
Starts Wins Podiums Poles F. laps Points
20 0 0 0 0 24
Superbike World Championship
Active years2002–2003, 2009–2010
ManufacturersDucati
Championships0
2010 championship position10th (169 pts) BSB
Starts Wins Podiums Poles F. laps Points
54 2 3 0 1 395
British Superbike Championship
Active years1999–2003,2006–2008,2011–present
Championships6 (2003, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017)
2016 championship position1st (669 pts)
Starts Wins Podiums Poles F. laps Points
356 85 187 0 0 0

Shane Byrne (born 10 December 1976),[1] often known as Shakey, is a British professional motorcycle road racer. He is a six-time champion of the British Superbike Championship (2003,[2] 2008,[3] 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2017), the only man in the history of the series to win six titles. He has also been a race winner in the Superbike World Championship[4] and has competed in MotoGP.[5] Byrne's significant controversy is a video from 2013 which shows him celebrating his victory by shaking a bottle of champagne and then aiming a spray up the podium model's skirt. Byrne made a public apology in 2021 on Instagram.[6]

The oldest rider competing in the 2018 British Superbike series,[7] Byrne suffered serious injuries involving multiple fractures to his upper body after crashing during a test at Snetterton Circuit in May when placed third in the championship.[8] He was successfully treated at Norwich University Hospital and confirmed the extent of his injuries via social media.[9]

Byrne announced via social media on 24 July 2018 that the metal cage attached to his skull supporting his head and neck via his shoulders had been removed in favour of a neck-brace collar, but there was still many more months of recovery anticipated due to poor growth of new bone.[10][11]

Prior to motorcycle racing Byrne was a London Underground worker.[12] After racing he worked as a motorcycle race commentator for Eurosport television from 2019, and is also a manager and mentor to racer Bradley Ray.[13][14]

Early days[edit]

Byrne was born in Lambeth, London. While working as a road tester for Fast Bikes magazine, he participated in track days on a Ducati 996 SPS at a wet Oulton Park. He caught the attention of Paul Bird, his future boss.

Byrne emerged in the British Superbike Championship in 1999, initially on a private Kawasaki. In 2001 he finished eighth in the championship on board the Performance House Suzuki, which had been previously raced in the 1997 World Superbike Championship, under the Harris brothers' business, Harris Performance. Byrne had five top-five finishes in the 2001 season and was champion of the Privateers' Cup; he was the privateer winner in 22 races out of 26.[15]

Early Success[edit]

In 2002, he was signed by Mark Griffiths at Renegade Ducati to ride alongside Michael Rutter. He also achieved his first British Superbike Championship win in the first race of round three at Donington Park after a race-long battle with Steve Plater on the Virgin Yamaha.[16] At the end of 2002 he joined Paul Bird at MonsterMob Ducati controversially replacing reigning champion Steve Hislop.[17] He stunned the paddock by storming to a string of wins, taking the title with ease. He impressed further by achieving a double win at Brands Hatch for the British round of the Superbike World Championship.

MotoGP[edit]

Byrne riding a Proton KTM at the 2005 British Grand Prix

For 2004 he joined fellow Brit Jeremy McWilliams in MotoGP with Aprilia,[18] although he missed several races because of injury. He spent much of 2005 racing for Kenny Roberts' team on a KTM bike,[19] before they were forced to pull out due to an internal dispute between the chassis and engine manufacturers.[20] He raced in Malaysia and Qatar for Camel Honda, replacing the injured Troy Bayliss. But after finishing 14th and 13th, Byrne did not impress Honda and was replaced by Chris Vermeulen.[21]

Back to Britain 1[edit]

For 2006 he returned to the British Superbike Championship with Rizla Suzuki squad.[22] His first podium came in Race Seven despite suffering a severe stomach virus that weekend. He missed Races 11 and 12 after a 187 mph crash caused by a brake failure; he was not seriously injured. At Knockhill he qualified second and followed with a second-place finish in Race One. The team's first win of the season came in Race Two. This was despite the team's bikes having been stolen and dumped in a barn alongside horse manure the previous week. At the final round of the season he was running third when he highsided, being knocked out in the process. Although he again escaped serious injury, he was unable to compete in the final race of the year, which meant he slipped from fourth to sixth in the championship standings.[23]

For 2007, Byrne was reunited with his former Monstermob boss, Paul Bird, who was now running the Stobart Vent-Axia team, a privateer team using the 1000cc Honda Fireblade. The Honda was competitive from the start, giving Byrne more opportunities to fight at the front. He finished fifth overall, with a win, a pole position, and nine further podiums.[24]

For the 2008 British Superbike Championship, Byrne competed for the Airwaves Ducati squad on a Ducati 1098 alongside Leon Camier.[25] The combo was immediately dominant. Byrne won three of the opening four races. In the second race at Oulton Park he went wide on Lap One, dropping to 13th place, but he fought back. Almost immediately after he passed Cal Crutchlow for third place, Leon Haslam hit Tom Sykes, giving Byrne the lead. This race was stopped four laps early after several riders, including Crutchlow and Karl Harris fell. In Race Two at Snetterton he was held up by a crash involving Harris on Lap One, dropping to 13th position before fighting back for the win. He finished each of the first 14 races on the podium, often coming through the field after poor starts.

World Superbikes[edit]

Twenty-four hours after clinching the British Superbike Championship, Byrne confirmed that he would compete in the 2009 World Superbike Championship with the Sterilgarda Ducati team along with Alex Polita.[26] This was his first full-time World Superbike Championship, although he has made successful wild card appearances in the past.[27] Byrne became Sterilgarda Ducati's sole rider in February (due to apparent financial problems forcing Polita out) and recorded his first podium with the team in second place in the first race at the San Marino round of the Championship.

Due to financial problems, the Sterilgarda team failed to announce its intention to compete in the 2010 Superbike World Championship season, leaving Byrne without a confirmed ride for 2010. In November 2009, Byrne announced that he had signed with the Althea Racing team for the 2010 season. He raced alongside former Honda rider Carlos Checa.[28] He was well behind Checa in performance and had no top-five finishes by midseason. He said he was "bitterly disappointed" with the season as a whole.[29]

Back to Britain 2[edit]

Byrne returned to the British Superbike Championship in 2011 with Lincolnshire-based HM Plant Honda alongside Japanese rider and three-time British Superbike Champion Ryuichi Kiyonari.

In 2012, he made a return to Paul Bird Motorsport along with Stuart Easton.

In 2016, the Paul Bird Motorsport team switched from Kawasaki machinery to Ducati. Byrne competed in British Superbike Championship on a fully factory supported Ducati Panigale R sponsored by Be Wiser Insurance.[30]

After racing[edit]

After serious injury ended his immediate participation in motorcycle sport, Byrne started to work as a race-weekend commentator.[31]

In a 2021 interview, he confirmed he had not made any firm decision not to again participate, and that his confidence in his long-term recovery had been impacted by the UK's emergency reaction to COVID-19 where hospital specialists were redeployed into other areas of need, hence he was 'on hold' until further treatment was available.[32]

Byrne has established a partnership and new sports management consultancy business with fellow television presenter Matt Roberts to mentor and progress young motorcycle racers.[33][32] Matt Roberts co-wrote Byrne's book released in 2020 entitled Unshakeable.[34]

In February 2022, it was announced that Byrne would be appearing in future episodes of The Late Brake Show, a YouTube Channel hosted by Jonny Smith. Byrne will be a guest presenter to ride and review motorcycles, with the first episode eponymously entitled 'Byrne Out'.[35]

Byrne is manager and mentor to superbike racer Bradley Ray, who won the 2022 BSB Championship and is contracted to ride in European rounds of World Superbikes for 2023.[13][14][36]

Torrens Trophy[edit]

Bryne was awarded the prestigious Torrens Trophy in 2014 in recognition of his winning multiple British Superbike Championships.

Personal life[edit]

Byrne married Czech-national, Petra, in November 2010. The couple have two children and share their time between homes in Kent and Spain.[37]

In 2021, a 2013 video resurfaced of Byrne sexually assaulting an unsuspecting woman by spraying champagne up her dress. On 2 April 2021, Byrne released a public apology through Instagram.[6][38]

Career statistics[edit]

Stats correct as of 19 October 2014

By championship[edit]

British Superbike Championship[edit]

Year Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Pos Pts Ref
R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R3 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R3 R1 R2 R3 R1 R2 R3 R1 R2 R3 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R3 R1 R2
2006 Suzuki BHI
6 		BHI
11 		DON
5 		DON
NC 		THR
5 		THR
8 		OUL
2 		OUL
3 		MON
C 		MON
C 		MAL
4 		MAL
5 		SNE
 SNE
 KNO
2 		KNO
1 		OUL
4 		OUL
5 		CRO
5 		CRO
4 		CAD
4 		CAD
Ret 		SIL
Ret 		SIL
4 		BHGP
Ret 		BHGP
DNS 		6th 224 [23]
2007 Honda BHGP
4 		BHGP
13 		THR
4 		THR
3 		SIL
Ret 		SIL
Ret 		OUL
6 		OUL
3 		SNE
Ret 		SNE
3 		MON
2 		MON
2 		KNO
4 		KNO
5 		OUL
2 		OUL
3 		MAL
1 		MAL
3 		CRO
9 		CRO
7 		CAD
4 		CAD
Ret 		DON
3 		DON
6 		BHI
6 		BHI
Ret 		5th 293 [39]
2008 Ducati BHGP
C 		BHGP
C 		THR
1 		THR
2 		OUL
1 		OUL
1 		BHGP
1 		BHGP
2 		DON
1 		DON
1 		SNE
2 		SNE
1 		MAL
1 		MAL
2 		OUL
3 		OUL
3 		KNO
2 		KNO
Ret 		CAD
3 		CAD
3 		CRO
5 		CRO
4 		SIL
3 		SIL
2 		BHI
1 		BHI
1 		1st 474 [40]
2011 Honda BHI
1 		BHI
3 		OUL
6 		OUL
3 		CRO
Ret 		CRO
1 		THR
3 		THR
1 		KNO
3 		KNO
2 		SNE
3 		SNE
4 		OUL
4 		OUL
C 		BHGP
16 		BHGP
1 		BHGP
3 		CAD
3 		CAD
3 		CAD
4 		DON
4 		DON
8 		SIL
5 		SIL
5 		BHGP
6 		BHGP
1 		BHGP
1 		3rd 625 [41]
2012 Kawasaki BHI
7 		BHI
C 		THR
4 		THR
3 		OUL
11 		OUL
2 		OUL
1 		SNE
Ret 		SNE
2 		KNO
1 		KNO
2 		OUL
3 		OUL
3 		OUL
2 		BHGP
1 		BHGP
1 		CAD
DNS 		CAD
DNS 		DON
 DON
 ASS
1 		ASS
2 		SIL
2 		SIL
2 		BHGP
1 		BHGP
1 		BHGP
1 		1st 683 [42]
2013 Kawasaki BHI
1 		BHI
3 		THR
1 		THR
1 		OUL
Ret 		OUL
1 		KNO
1 		KNO
1 		SNE
3 		SNE
1 		BHGP
Ret 		BHGP
1 		OUL
2 		OUL
1 		OUL
2 		CAD
2 		CAD
4 		DON
2 		DON
2 		ASS
2 		ASS
Ret 		SIL
2 		SIL
1 		BHGP
3 		BHGP
Ret 		BHGP
3 		2nd 636 [43]
2014 Kawasaki BHI
1 		BHI
1 		OUL
1 		OUL
2 		SNE
1 		SNE
1 		KNO
2 		KNO
1 		BHGP
2 		BHGP
5 		THR
2 		THR
2 		OUL
3 		OUL
3 		OUL
2 		CAD
2 		CAD
2 		DON
2 		DON
2 		ASS
Ret 		ASS
1 		SIL
1 		SIL
2 		BHGP
Ret 		BHGP
1 		BHGP
1 		1st 6823 [44]
2015 Kawasaki DON
2 		DON
1 		BHI
2 		BHI
2 		OUL
3 		OUL
Ret 		SNE
1 		SNE
1 		KNO
1 		KNO
1 		BHGP
Ret 		BHGP
2 		THR
4 		THR
2 		CAD
6 		CAD
4 		OUL
1 		OUL
Ret 		OUL
1 		ASS
4 		ASS
5 		SIL
2 		SIL
5 		BHGP
2 		BHGP
2 		BHGP
3 		2nd 6623 [45]
2016 Ducati SIL
2 		SIL
2 		OUL
8 		OUL
6 		BHI
9 		BHI
1 		KNO
Ret 		KNO
1 		SNE
3 		SNE
1 		THR
1 		THR
Ret 		BHGP
1 		BHGP
1 		CAD
1 		CAD
3 		OUL
9 		OUL
Ret 		OUL
5 		DON
1 		DON
1 		ASS
2 		ASS
2 		BHGP
6 		BHGP
6 		BHGP
3 		1st 669
2017 Ducati DON
DNS 		DON
DNS 		BHI
4 		BHI
Ret 		OUL
2 		OUL
1 		KNO
3 		KNO
3 		SNE
1 		SNE
1 		BHGP
1 		BHGP
1 		THR
4 		THR
Ret 		CAD
3 		CAD
Ret 		SIL
Ret 		SIL
3 		SIL
Ret 		OUL
9 		OUL
7 		ASS
2 		ASS
5 		BHGP
1 		BHGP
1 		BHGP
8 		1st 637
2018 Ducati DON
2 		DON
5 		BHI
1 		BHI
4 		OUL
3 		OUL
4 		SNE
DNS 		SNE
DNS 		15th 98
  • * Season still in progress
Notes[edit]
1.^ 2011/2012 - Byrne qualified for "The Showdown" part of the British Superbike Championship season, thus before the 11th round he was awarded 500 points, plus the podium credits he had gained throughout the season. Podium credits are given to any rider finishing first, second, or third with three, two, and one points awarded respectively.
2.^ 2013 - Byrne qualified for "The Showdown" part of the British Superbike Championship season, thus before the tenth round he was awarded 500 points, plus the podium credits he had gained throughout the season. Podium credits are given to anyone finishing first, second, or third with three, two, and one points awarded respectively.
3.^ 2014/2015 - Byrne qualified for "The Showdown" part of the British Superbike Championship season, thus before the tenth round he was awarded 500 points, plus the podium credits he had gained throughout the season. Podium credits are given to anyone finishing first, second, or third, with five, three, and one points awarded respectively.

Superbike World Championship[edit]

Year Class Bike ESP
Spain 		AUS
Australia 		JPN
Japan 		ITA
Italy 		GER
Germany 		GBR
United Kingdom 		SMR
San Marino 		USA
United States 		GBR
United Kingdom 		NED
Netherlands 		ITA
Italy 		FRA
France 		Pos Pts Ref
R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2
2003 SBK Ducati 1 1 16th 50
Year Class Bike AUS
Australia 		QAT
Qatar 		SPA
Spain 		NED
Netherlands 		ITA
Italy 		RSA
South Africa 		USA
United States 		SMR
San Marino 		GBR
United Kingdom 		CZE
Czech Republic 		GER
Germany 		ITA
Italy 		FRA
France 		POR
Portugal 		Pos Pts Ref
R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2
2009 SBK Ducati Ret Ret 6 12 9 11 11 8 14 18 9 Ret 11 10 2 6 5 4 4 8 10 Ret Ret 7 8 7 4 4 8th 192 [46]
Year Class Bike AUS
Australia 		POR
Portugal 		SPA
Spain 		NED
Netherlands 		ITA
Italy 		RSA
South Africa 		USA
United States 		SMR
San Marino 		CZE
Czech Republic 		GBR
United Kingdom 		GER
Germany 		ITA
Italy 		FRA
France 		Pos Pts Ref
R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2
2010 SBK Ducati 14 12 6 7 Ret 8 9 8 13 9 15 13 6 7 9 7 12 9 9 8 9 10 8 6 9 8 10th 169 [47]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "shakey.com". Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  2. ^ "Shane Byrne in demand from MonsterMob owner Bird". Sport Network. Durham Associates Group. 16 January 2005. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  3. ^ Martin, Jimmy (10 November 2008). "2008 British Superbike Season Review". motorbikesport.co.uk. Motorbike Sport. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  4. ^ Korfhage, Brian (27 July 2003). "2003 WSB Brands Hatch Results". Motorcycle USA. Motorcycle USA, LLC. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  5. ^ Moakes, Dan (15 November 2003). "'Shakey' Byrne moves into MotoGP with Aprilia". Sport Network. Durham Associates Group. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  6. ^ a b Superbike champ Shane Byrne apologises over podium video shame www.kentonline, 3 April 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2024
  7. ^ Superbikes: Shane "Shakey" Byrne targets seventh British title London News Online, 30 March 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2018
  8. ^ Shane Byrne: British Superbike champion 'broke ribs, neck and back' in crash BBC Sport, 26 May 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  9. ^ Shakey starts long path to recovery Kent Online, 26 May 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2018
  10. ^ "BSB: Byrne recovery takes step forward". Motor Cycle News. 24 July 2018. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  11. ^ 'So good to have a shower' – Shane 'Shakey' Byrne's relief as halo removed Eurosport, 24 July 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2018
  12. ^ Interview with Shane Byrne crash.net, 19 February 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2022
  13. ^ a b Why Bradley Ray almost stepped away from racing bennetts.co.uk, 28 September 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2022
  14. ^ a b Irwin in frame for shock PBM return bikesportnews.com, 15 October 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2022
  15. ^ "2001 British Superbike Championship". Superbike Racing. Bravenet. Archived from the original on 24 November 2011. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  16. ^ "Renegade duo come good at Donington". Motorcycle News. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  17. ^ "Tunnel vision: how Shakey Byrne was built for bikes". Eurosport. 30 March 2017. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  18. ^ "Aprilia launch 2004 MotoGP campaign". maxmoto.co.uk. MaxMoto. 22 March 2004. Archived from the original on 25 November 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  19. ^ "Shaky start for Shane Byrne at Jerez". motogp.com. Dorna Sports. 12 April 2005. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  20. ^ "KTM Ends MotoGP Effort". WebBikeWorld. webWorld International, LLC. 20 July 2005. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  21. ^ "Vermeulen confirmed at Camel Honda". crash.net. Crash Media Group. 3 October 2005. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  22. ^ "Rizla Suzuki test without Haydon". SuperBike. IPC Media Ltd. 16 December 2005. Archived from the original on 7 November 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  23. ^ a b "2006 British Superbike Championship". Superbike Racing. Bravenet. Archived from the original on 2 October 2011. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  24. ^ "2007 Bennetts British Superbike Championship". Superbike Racing. Bravenet. Archived from the original on 2 October 2011. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  25. ^ Crook, Tasha (7 November 2007). "Airwaves Ducati Back in BSB With Byrne & Camier". LondonBikers. Media Panther Ltd. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  26. ^ "Polita joins Byrne at Sterilgarda". crash.net. Crash Media Group. 8 October 2008. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  27. ^ "Byrne confirms WSB move". Insidebikes. Carole Nash. 30 September 2008. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  28. ^ "Byrne makes switch to Althea Ducati". Insidebikes. Carole Nash. 13 November 2009. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
  29. ^ "Byrne 'bitterly disappointed' with season". crash.net. Crash Media Group. 9 August 2010. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
  30. ^ "PBM announce Be Wiser, Ducati and Irwin for 2016". 16 October 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  31. ^ Legendary 'Shakey' Byrne joins Eurosport team for 2019 Bennetts BSB Championship Eurosport, 17 April 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2020
  32. ^ a b Exclusive: Lambeth superbike star Shane Byrne on possibility of a racing return – and setting up a company to help bring through sport’s next big things London News online, 29 January 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2021
  33. ^ About us Sixty Seven Sports Retrieved 4 July 2021
  34. ^ Shane Byrne autobiography 'Unshakeable' incoming Visor Down, 2 August 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2021
  35. ^ The Late Brake Show. YouTube. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  36. ^ Bradley Ray: British Superbikes champion joins World Superbike grid with Yamaha for the 2023 season Eurosport, 30 November 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2022
  37. ^ Gallery: A day with BSB champ Shane 'Shakey' Byrne Motorcycle News, 12 December 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2024
  38. ^ Kent Superbike Champion Shane Byrne who aimed Champagne bottle spray up a podium model's skirt in 2013 apologises after his 'Sexual Assualt' video infuriates netizens www.latestly.com, 4 April 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2024
  39. ^ "Shane Byrne Biography". motorbikesport.co.uk. Motorbike Sport. 5 January 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  40. ^ Briggs, Gemma (13 October 2008). "Byrne bows out of British Superbikes with two wins at Brands Hatch". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 23 May 2010.
  41. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 26 June 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  42. ^ "Round 12 – Standings" (PDF). MotorSportVision Racing. 14 October 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 March 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  43. ^ "Round 12 – Standings" (PDF). MotorSportVision Racing. 20 October 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 May 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  44. ^ "Round 12 – Standings" (PDF). MotorSportVision Racing. 19 October 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  45. ^ "Round 12 – Standings" (PDF). MotorSportVision Racing. 18 October 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 January 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  46. ^ "2009 Standings Riders – FIM Superbike World Championship". Superbike World Championship. Infront Motor Sports. Archived from the original on 10 March 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  47. ^ "2010 Standings Riders – FIM Superbike World Championship". Superbike World Championship. Infront Motor Sports. Archived from the original on 13 April 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2010.

Citations[edit]

External links[edit]

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