Shane Byrne’s plans for 2005 remain on hold

Pic: Carly Rathmell
By blue2bikes
November 20 2004

Shane Byrne’s future has still not been sorted, as the 2003 British Superbike Champion has yet to sign a deal for the 2005 season.

After claiming Aprilia’s best result of the 2004 MotoGP series, with a tenth place finish in Italy, Shane has said, “Unfortunately there is no news for next year, and it is driving me totally bonkers.”

Shane has been in talks with other teams, and has been asked to test for Aprilia at Jeréz on their new machine, which was to have been the machine for this year’s campaign. Shane said, “It will be good to get a ride on the new machine to see what improvements they have made.” He also commented that he’d be a millionaire if he’d collected a pound for every time he had been asked what he was doing next year!

Four British riders started the MotoGP series this year and, as yet, none have been guaranteed a Grand Prix ride for next year. With Neil Hodgson now having made the move to the AMA Superbike series in the United States, Jeremy McWilliams in talks, and James Ellison taking up Chris Burns’ Harris WCM ride, everything is still to be decided for Shane.