Buildbase BMW’s Ryuichi Kiyonari overcame a crash during the MCE British Superbike qualifying session to take the win in race one at Oulton Park this afternoon, but the victory wasn’t easy for the triple-champ.
After the qualifying incident Kiyonari started from the fourth row of the grid, but soon picked off the riders until he caught up with Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki’s Shane Byrne and Milwaukee Yamaha’s Josh Brookes.
He had the pace to get past Brookes and on the penultimate lap looked comfortable enough to take the win. But the hot weather and the battle out on track has left the rider feeling tired. But he hopes that he will remain up-right tomorrow to do the triple.
“Before the crash in qualifying I had some issues with the bike, and I destroyed everything on the bike when I fell. Then I got a good start and then the win in the race, but it was not easy,” said Kiyonari, at the track.
“I sweat a lot and it was hard to ride, and Shakey and Josh were very strong and I pushed hard in every lap, now I am tired! I could hear Josh’s bike coming closer and I thought - oh no! Then I saw the chequered flag and then I took the win, but I could tell that I was under pressure from Josh the whole time I was at the front.”
