Kiyonari bounces back from qualifying crash to take British Superbike race one victory from Brookes
Ryuichi Kiyonari bounced back from a heavy crash in qualifying to claim the opening victory at the Oulton Park triple-header round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship by just 0.496s from Josh Brookes.
The Japanese rider quickly charged into contention despite starting from the fourth row of the grid, making decisive moves on his rivals to carve his way up the order. At the front Brookes and Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne had been battling hard for the lead, swapping positions in their quest for victory. However the pair then came under fire from the Japanese ace who first mugged Byrne for second and then stormed ahead of Brookes for the lead.
Milwaukee Yamaha’s Brookes took some consolation for his second place as his fastest lap in the race gives him the pole position start for the first of the two Sunday races at the Cheshire circuit.
Kiyonari, now back in contention to challenge for a record fourth crown, said: “I made a big mistake in qualifying. I had a crash and it gave the team a lot of work to fix the bike. This victory is very important for me and I am very happy, but after that race I want to go back to my hotel and sleep!”
Brookes who is bidding to close down Byrne in the standings explained: “During the race I had a good fight with Shakey, it is never easy but it was particularly difficult to make passes and make them stick. Every time I made a pass either through good luck or good judgement then he would be straight back by me. It was exciting but I wanted to try and lead the race and see if I had better pace, but ironically when I did get to the front I made a load of mistakes! My lap times were up and down whereas normally I am really consistent. I got a bit flustered and then Kiyo was on the scene and was clearly fast. I tried to stay with him to keep the pressure on, but he didn’t make any mistakes and I was forced to take second. I am happy enough; obviously I want wins and to close the gap to the front, but second had to do today.”
Tommy Bridewell took fourth on the second Milwaukee Yamaha ahead of Quattro Plant Kawasaki’s Dan Linfoot and former MotoGP rider John Hopkins on the Tyco Suzuki.
Championship standings:
- Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 277
- Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) 199
- Ryuichi Kiyonari (Buildbase BMW) 164
- 4Dan Linfoot (Quattro Plant Kawasaki) 127
- Tommy Bridewell (Milwaukee Yamaha) 125
- James Ellison (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) 124
McConnell holds off determined Gowland in thriller
Billy McConnell held off his Smiths Triumph team-mate and title rival Graeme Gowland to snatch the victory in the Motorpoint British Supersport Championship Sprint race by just 0.092secs. That result was enough to put the young Aussie back on top of the standings, by just four points.
Gowland had made the early running with Gearlink Kawsaki’s Glenn Irwin in close contention ahead of McConnell with Jake Dixon, Luke Stapleford and Luke Mossey disputing fourth place as the duelling intensified.
Stapleford riding the Profile Triumph was on the move and soon attacking McConnell for third and then at half distance swooping through into second place with Irwin also going through at the expense of the Smiths Triumph rider.
Next time around, Stapleford was leading the race from Gowland with McConnell re-grouping to be third from Irwin who was coming under pressure from Mossey. McConnell took Gowland and then began to reel in Stapleford whose race ended on the penultimate lap amid clouds of steam.
McConnell had the advantage, and try as he might, Gowland, who had moved ahead of Mossey could not find a way through.
McConnell said: “I was starting to get a bit emotional about my team-mate kicking my butt all the time, and here it was a case of right time, right place. Going into the chicane I saw Stapleford’s bike smoking and I knew I was ahead and I got a bit lucky to get this one.”
Gowland said: “Another close race and when Stapleford’s bike blew both Luke Mossey and myself had to take action and knock off a bit.” Mossey took third, ahead of Dixon, who took over in fourth after Irwin’s last lap crash. Alastair Seeley’s damage limitation ride, after a qualifying crash left him with a fourth row start, giving him valuable points as he finished fifth on the MarTrain Yamaha.
David Allingham won the Supersport EVO category ahead of Danny Webb with Alex Olsen, the series leader third.
Motorpoint British Supersport Championship standings:
- Billy McConnell (Smiths Triumph) 216
- Graeme Gowland (Smiths Triumph) 212
- Alastair Seeley (MarTrain Yamaha) 199
- Luke Jones (Acumen Industrial Services Triumph) 162
- Glenn Irwin (Gearlink Kawasaki) 138
British Superstock 1000
British Superstock 600
