Shane Byrne leads British Superbike Championship after victory at Thruxton

Byrne came out on top in a dramatic battle in the opener, which was red-flagged after nine laps due to Stuart Easton's crash.

Byrne overtook Laverty two laps after the restart and the latter eventually had to settle for second, with Luke Mossey third.

Laverty's moment came in the second race, though, as he held off Jason O'Halloran for victory while rookie Glenn Irwin claimed third place, his first time on the podium.

Byrne finished the day leading second-placed Leon Haslam by 15 points in the season standings, with O'Halloran a further 20 points back.

Laverty's good day lifted him to fourth, while Dan Linfoot and James Ellison occupy the remaining top-six positions - the leading six after nine events go into the "Showdown" for the title over the final three meetings at Donington, Assen and Brands Hatch.