From a press release issued by Alice Aprilia Racing:

MotoGP: Shane Byrne!

Shane “Shakey” Byrne is the chosen one to tame in the Moto GP 2004 one of Noale’s Aprilia Cube. The new union between the Italian firm and the British rider, winner in England’s last Superbike championship, has been formalized during the meeting with Mr. Beggio. Not bad for a rider who is considered to be one of the best in UK.

British motorcycling passionate have been waiting a long time for a young champion comparable to the great Barry Sheene, winner in the 500 category in 1967 and in 1977. Shane Byrne’s double victory in Brands Hatch, this year, probably means that the long wait is finally over. Only 26 year old, Shane is only one year older than the famous Sheene, who won when only 25, and is also four years younger than Neil Hodgson, Superbike’s winner in 2003. Shane Byrne is definitely a new force in motorcycling; his name sounds like the as-well known Irish rugby player so that supporters call him “Shakey” to not confuse him with “Munch”.

“When I was first called by Aprilia, I almost didn’t believe it – Byrne said – who today visited for the first time the racing section of Noale’s factory-I realized that it was true only when I left for Valencia, the last GP of the season, to meet the chief of the racing activities, Jan Witteveen. I was really excited to get on the Rs “Cube” for the first time, it really was amazing!”

Byrne’s name, after the double victory in Brands Hatch, was on many firms notepad. “It’s true, I had few other offers to compete in the Superbike championship – revealed Shakey – but Aprilia’s one won them easily because my dream was to race in the Moto Gp. What convinced me more, beside the good project, was the fact that was precisely from Aprilia that riders such as Max Biaggi and Valentino Rossi started. They are my heroes, as other riders in the “queen” category, and the thought of riding close to them gave me an enormous motivation.

Beside the results Shane Byrne is a though guy. “I know that the first year will be difficult -he admits- I’ll have to learn the environment and the tracks and in the mean time help Aprilia developing the motorbike. It’s not going to be easy, but I will dedicate myself to it totally. During the next few days I’ll try to decide whether is better to stay in England or move to Italy. Everything happened so fast that I haven’t got any time to focus on the details.”

Motocross, travels and snowboard passionate Shakey relaxes himself with long walks in the countryside together with his dog.

HIS CAREER

1988 – Debut in the Trial with one victory in four competitions

1993 – Motocross four victories in five months

1996 – His debut with a Kawasaki. A broken wrist closed his season in advance.

1997 – Supersport 600 Champion. First National victory in Cadwell Park

1998 – National Supersport Championship, 6th. One victory in Snetterton

1999 – National Superbike Championship with a Harris-Kawasaki ZX-7RR. 5th and 6th place

2000 – Shifts to Honda racing on a SP-1.5th place in Brands Hatch.

2001 – Riding a Suzuki he collected three fifth places and gets 20 times among the first eight positions. Two fourth places in Oulton Park and Brands Hatch made of him the best private in the championship.

2002 – Riding a Ducati 998 R Testastretta wins in Donington, in Knockhill and in Thruxton. He is the fourth in the championship with three fast laps.

2003 – Riding a Ducati ex Hislop Byrne wins the championship two competitions before the end with nine victories on eleven races. Three pole positions and seven fast laps crown his season. The double victory in England’s Gp comes soon after.