Three-time MCE British Superbike Champion Ryuichi Kiyonari believes that adding a fourth series trophy to his collection is not beyond the realms of possibility now he is settling in to his new Buildbase BMW team.

The Japanese star revealed he was in talks with Stuart Hicken’s squad towards the end last season which highlights he was far from happy with the Samsung Honda team - although exact details of the 2013 problems may never see the light of day.

“I am so pleased to be back in BSB, and with a new team too. I am riding a new bike, and I already feeling happy with the BMW and with how testing has gone so far. The team have been really great too. But I feel that I need more laps to really understand how the bike works, and I need more time to improve communication with the team, but so far there is not a problem and I am enjoying everything,” said Kiyonari, speaking to bikesportnews.com at Donington Park.

"Last year was so, so hard for me. Even though it was really difficult - it was a good for me to have had a year like that and experience a hard year in racing. It has helped me, in a strange way, as last year was not really good. There were many reasons why last year was bad for me, especially when my motivation was not good and mentally I was not in a good place. At the end of last year I spoke to this team many times, and I wanted to ride this bike with this team, and they have welcomed me and that is why I am happy now, and in a good place.”

Kiyo recorded a fastest laptime of 1’31.240 yesterday, which put him ninth on the overall timesheet and 1.7s behind leader Shane Byrne but only a second off Jakub Smrz in third.

"It would be great to get a fourth title, and its not impossible and I want to win again, that's why I joined the BMW team. I still have the passion to win races, but it is a little early to look at another BSB title yet. I think being in a team with James Westmoreland will be really good for me, as he has ridden the bike before and it will be a good partnership. Stuart Hicken and all the mechanics have been great too and I cant wait to work with them throughout the year.

"I want to be fast, and I don't want to crash, I am not only just thinking of a podium place - as that won’t be good enough, I am looking at the top step and I want to win every race. I want to fight out on track and be the best - and to be able to finish every race too, and I can't wait to get started at Brands on my new bike, with my new team behind me.”