Shane Byrne reckons the best way of celebrating his success in receiving the coveted Torrens Trophy – awarded for service to safe and skilful motorcycle riding – is to add to his victory tally in the forthcoming MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship.

Already the most successful rider in the history of the series with 61 race wins since his first race back in 1999, Byrne has won the country’s premier crown on an unprecedented four occasions, in 2003, 2008, 2012 and again last season.

Three of those titles have been won riding for Paul Bird’s team – the other, in 2008 came in Airwaves Ducati colours – and for Byrne there is a special working relationship with the Cumbrian businessman that both intend will continue, gathering more success along the way.

Byrne said: “Paul has been such a massive part of my career – when I won my 50th BSB race at Oulton Park in 2013 I dedicated that success to him. We work so well together, we have a respect for each other in that we both know exactly what we both want and in that way we can work well.

“The momentum is there, we both want more. Paul keeps going and he is pushing the boys (in the team) hard and I am working really hard with my training as we know it will be as hard to defend the title as to win it. But, we will be going out all guns blazing to keep it.”

It is that determination, that drive to win with a cultured, skilled riding style that has taken Byrne, who has tasted World Superbike and Grand Prix action along the way, to the pinnacle of the world’s domestic championship and the luncheon earlier this week in the plush surroundings of the RAC Club in Pall Mall to receive the Torrens Trophy.

Byrne reflected: “It is a really nice accolade, something that is really special to me, especially when you read the list of people who have won it previously and think what they have done in their careers. James Toseland won the World Superbike title twice, then Tom Sykes won it so it is a pretty special feeling for a BSB rider to win it.”

But for Byrne and his Kawasaki team there was little time to dwell on this latest piece of silverware as thoughts turned to testing for the new season. The scheduled test in Aragon last week was aborted because of bad weather but they expect to be on track within the next few days as they prepare for what will be another tough campaign.