OP 10 - GREATEST BSB BRITISH SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONS OF ALL TIME
10 - Leon
Camier
In 2009
Leon was totally dominant and great to watch, it’s just a shame we didn’t get
to see him for longer in BSB
9 - James
Whitham
Some
people forget that James was the champ in 2001 but James was a great rider in
his day and BSB wouldn’t be the same without him today. His commentary for the
final race of 2011 between Tommy Hill and John Hopkins is just pure genius. The
man is a legend
8 - Josh
Brookes
Josh was
2015 Champion and has been the runner up three times. There’s no doubt he’s a
great rider and I wouldn’t be surprised if he comes good this season.
7 - Leon
Haslam
Until last
season Leon was was known as the “Nearly man”. Should have won it the previous
season but cruel luck and no fault of his own robbed him at Brands Hatch
6 - Tommy
Hill
Tommy won
the most memorable title of them all in 2011 by seven thousandths of a second,
and it’s probably the only championship where people remember the second place
rider - John Hopkins. In reality Tommy could have won three titles, both 2010
and 2012 were his titles to win, so it’s slightly ironic he managed to grab the
hardest title out the three.
There’s an
old saying “ you should never meet your hero’s” and in some cases it’s very
true, so when I was asked to interview Tommy for BSB TV in 2013 I was hoping he
wasn’t going to disappoint. I needn’t have worried as Tommy is a diamond, easy
to interview and exactly the same off camera as he is on it.
5 - Steve
Hislop
The two
time winner was undoubtedly a very gifted rider and should have won more but
regrettably it was not to be.
4 - John Reynolds
Three time
winner and a really popular rider with the fans
3 - Niall
Mackenzie
Three
titles in a row says it all really. Niall is still a permanent fixture in the
paddock.
2 -
Ryuichi Kiyonari
Three time
Champion and probably the most unpredictable racer in BSB history. If he’s up
for it Kiyonari is unbeatable on his day, but if he can’t be bothered he just
might finish last, if at all!
Drum roll
please..........
1 - Shane
Byrne
Well it
had to be didn’t it? Six time winner, Mr BSB “Shakey” Bryne. Shane has always
been the man to beat ever since he arrived at BSB. I’ve seen him first hand
pull off outrageous moves to win. I was standing next to the finish line at
Assen when he mugged Alex at the SS bends and was lucky enough to be the first
person to interview him after the race.
You could
see in his eyes that he was still buzzing from the win.
He’s great
with the fans too, I’ve seen him try to sneak out of the back of his garage
only to end up being surrounded by fans, ever the top bloke he is, he always
signs their programs. Basically what you see on tv is what you get if you meet
him in person. No pretence just a great racer and really nice guy.
