Both Shane Byrne and Michael Laverty have deemed the first corner crash in yesterday's second British Superbike race at Donington Park a racing incident, with the HM Plant man going on to say there is no malice in the championship.

The pair tangled at the apex of Redgate on lap one with Byrne able to get back on his bike first and move back through the field to eighth while Swan Yamaha's Laverty clawed his way through to 14th for two points. It means that John Hopkins and Tommy Hill have pulled away at the top of the table by 20 points.

"The crash in the second race was nobody's fault. I got a good start and was alongside John Hopkins. I waited till he braked and I was thinking this is going to be touch and go. Next thing I hear is a crashing noise on the inside. I don't hold anything against Michael Laverty as no-one takes unnecessary risks. There is no malice. We all want to win the championship," said Byrne afterwards.

Laverty added: "I was feeling confident for the second race and I wanted to get to the front as soon as possible. Shakey had done the same move in race one and we went for the apex but he hadn’t seen me. It is frustrating but it was a racing incident.

"It will be an uphill task now but we knew we had the pace which makes it even more disappointing. The pressure is slightly off me now as I can just try for wins rather than being too conservative but anything can still happen and I will fight until the bitter end for the title."