Byrne at the treble!

The 2012 British Superbike Championship lived up to its reputation of close racing as the season went down to the last race of the season. Shane Byrne had already won the first two races of the triple header at Brands Hatch meaning the title was between him and the consistent Australian, Josh Brookes.

It was Shane Byrne who eventually took the championship. Needing only to finish in fourteenth place, the Kawasaki rider followed Josh Brookes at the front for most of the race, finally passing the Australian on the closing laps and winning the title in style.

Tyco Suzuki rider, Brookes can be very happy with his season as an improved understanding between him and his bike saw him consistently finish strongly throughout the season although he will be disappointed, coming second in the championship for the second time in his BSB career. It was a disappointing end to the season for Lowes and Laverty as close racing between them eventually resulted in both of them going down on the final lap. Defending champion, Tommy Hill picked up a consolation third place on the podium after seeing his championship charge fall apart during the later showdown rounds.

So close for Sykes

The World Superbike Championship for 2012 is now over with Max Biaggi eventually taking the crown, after Marco Melandri spent the later part of the season making sure he lost out with three non-finishes in a row!

We came agonisingly close to a British winner as Tom Sykes lost out on the title by only half a point after a consistently fast season for the Kawasaki rider came down to the final race of the season. Sykes won the final race in France but it wasn't enough as Biaggi managed to get the points he needed to wrap up the Championship.