Byrne was coming under growing pressure from Haslam in a race delayed first by rain and then a three-rider tangle. On the restart Byrne had charged clear with Haslam, eager to atone for an earlier tumble, in hot pursuit.

Airwaves Ducati rider Byrne was being closed down when, with five laps left, he lost the front end of his bike as he powered into the first turn. He was hurled over the top and slid through gravel to the barriers.

The race was halted immediately but Byrne escaped serious injury, and victory was credited to Haslam, ending a barren 17-race run for the HM Plant Honda man. “He went down pretty hard – I’m glad he’s OK,” said Haslam. “It’s good to take the win at last. I’ve been confident and was so disappointed by the problems we had in the first race.”

Haslam had slowed in the opening race with an electrical problem and took a tumble as Tom Sykes continued his winning spree after success in the previous round at Oulton Park.

“I’m shell-shocked to be honest – three on the bounce is something special,” said Sykes.