Ryuichi Kiyonari’s MCE British Superbike title hopes hang in the balance today after a free practice three crash left him with a fractured collarbone ahead of qualifying.

The Buildbase BMW rider, who is second in the championship table, fell on the exit of a damp Graham Hill Bend during his first lap and he was taken to the Brands Hatch medical centre where an undisplaced fracture of the left/right collarbone was diagnosed.

“We have got him back at the hotel using a special sling that has iced water running through it. We are assessing him every two hours. He will try and strap himself up for morning warm-up but there is no chance of him riding this afternoon,’ said team boss Stuart Hicken.