Lincoln’s Lowes crowned British Superbike champion

Brands Hatch Credit: Gareth Fuller/PA

Alex Lowes has been crowned the 2013 British Superbike champion after a thrilling final race of the season.

The 23-year-old, from Lincoln, started the race at Brands Hatch in ninth position on the grid.

Lowes went into the full wet 20-lap race with a three-point advantage over Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne.

Both of the championship contenders started well but Lowes was overtaken by Byrne in the first half of the race, despite Byrne starting further down the grid.

The pair then swapped positions after Lowes put a move on Byrne on lap 16.

Brands Hatch Credit: Gareth Fuller/PA

Lowes held on to his move and second position, winning the British Superbike championship by seven points, finishing with a total of 643.

Shane Byrne finished the race in third place and took second in the championship.