BYRNE EDGES OUT BROOKES AS 2014 MCE BRITISH SUPERBIKES KICK OFF AT BRANDS HATCH

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The MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship (BSB) continues to assert itself as the greatest domestic bike series in the world, and a producer of some of the sport's hottest properties.

The MCE BSB bikes average more than 180bhp and are capable of reaching 200mph. If you haven't witnessed the atmosphere first hand, the explosive acceleration off the line or the riders rubbing elbows at incredible speeds - then you really should!

MCE BSB has a huge following of fans who follow the championship around the UK, and that is a testament to the teams and riders who push themselves and their bikes to the limit, whilst never forgetting that they're racing to entertain the massive crowds at the circuits.

MotorSport Vision (MSV) acquired the organisational and commercial rights to BSB in 2008, and the series has benefitted massively from the company's expertise and careful judgement.  MCE BSB is now a globally recognised brand, broadcast live throughout Europe and Asia, with some of the world's best riders and most prestigious manufacturers. And, above all, it's possibly the most thrilling spectator sport on the planet!

The most dramatic motorsport in the world!

MCE BSB is famed for its close, dramatic racing. A control tyre (Pirelli) and tightly managed regulations ensures the grid is evenly matched with battles throughout the field. Riders battle wheel to wheel at speeds of up to 200mph and frequently lose control as they push to the limit. A MCE BSB bike will lap the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit in around 86 seconds - that's 6 seconds faster than a British Touring Car. 

The MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship has announced a superb line-up, which includes 30 season-long entries and 21 individual teams representing six different manufacturers. 

Fresh new look for MCE BSB in 2014

The 2014 season has seen the biggest shake-up of teams and rider combinations in years, yet the strength in depth is as impressive as ever and will feature nine MCE BSB race winners and two triple champions: Shane Byrne and Ryuichi Kiyonari. Byrne remains with Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki and the most successful rider in the championship history is desperate to claim an unprecedented fourth crown after narrowly missing out to Alex Lowes at the final round last year. The team have strengthened their line up with reigning Motorpoint British Supersport champion Stuart Easton, who has made a remarkable comeback from devastating injuries sustained at the North West 200 in 2011.

Ready to challenge Byrne is returning Californian mega star John Hopkins. The former MotoGP frontrunner was part of the closest MCE BSB title race in history in 2011 and lost out to Tommy Hill by just 0.006 seconds in the final race. He has unfinished business in the championship and is targetting the title with Tyco Suzuki. Former champions Milwaukee Yamaha meanwhile have secured the services of two-time MCE BSB runner-up Josh Brookes and upcoming Brit Tommy Bridewell, and both riders looked supremely quick during their pre-season test programme in Spain.

New and fresh line ups for 2014 include Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki, who have signed 2009 runner-up James Ellison and fans' favourite Chris 'Stalker' Walker for their campaign, whilst triple champion Ryuichi Kiyonari made a surprise move to the Buildbase BMW team during the winter, alongside Showdown contender James Westmoreland. Record-breaking TT race winner Ian Hutchinson is ready to prove his mettle on the short circuits with the new FFX Yamaha team, whilst Harry Hartley becomes the youngest ever MCE BSB contender at the age of just 17.