Ryuichi Kiyonari started off the British Superbike weekend with a race victory, pulling himself within 10 points of season leader Tommy Hill. There are two more races left in this winner take all weekend at Oulton Park, but Ryuichi Kiyonari has just moved himself well within striking distance for the British Superbike title.
"I tried to get a bigger gap as I would have been happier then, but it wasn't easy and the other riders were fast too,” Kiyonari said. “It was a hard race and I had to fight hard for the win for sure. It is great to get the points on Tommy and move second but we still have tomorrow. It is not easy to win but if I can have two more tomorrow then I can be champion. The two races tomorrow will probably be the toughest races of the season."
Tommy Hill was able to maintain his lead in the series with a second place finish behind Kiyonari. Josh Brookes, who was in second place going into the weekend, dropped down to third, 20 points behind the leader, with his 5th place finish.
Michael Laverty finished in fourth to pull within 6 points of Brookes on the British Superbike leader board. The other two title fighters, Michael Rutter and Alasair Seeley, were unable to break into the top ten, and will need a little bit of luck tomorrow if they want to find themselves on the podium when all is said and done.
Outside of the title contenders, The Swan Honda riders are having an impressive weekend. James Ellison took third today, and his teammate, Stuart Easton, finished 7th.
British Superbike - Oulton Park - Race 1 Results
1. Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda)
2. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki)+0.821s
3. James Ellison (Swan Honda) +5.707s
4. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +8.459s
5. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) +14.627s
6. Tommy Bridewell (Tyco Quay Garage Honda) +15.001s
7. Stuart Easton (Swan Honda) +16.839s
8. Gary Mason (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +20.109s
9. John Laverty (Buildbase Kawasaki) +28.032s
10. Loris Baz (Motorpoint Yamaha) +32.829s
British Superbike Standings
1. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) 609
2. Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) 599
3. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) 589
4. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) 583
5. Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) 546
6. Alastair Seeley (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) 530
