Confident Kiyonari hunts more victories at Thruxton, Jackson to double up in BSB and Superstock again.
Buildbase BMW Motorrad rider Ryuichi Kiyonari has set his sights on a third win from three rounds at the fast Thruxton circuit, while Lee Jackson is set to double up in two classes for a second time to fill in for a recovering James Westmoreland.
Three-time BSB Champion Kiyo has become the talk of the paddock following his recent resurgence and historic race wins on the BMW S 1000 RR. The Japanese rider has emerged as the biggest threat to fellow triple champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne’s hopes of a fourth championship title.
With two race wins, and three podiums, from the last four race starts, Kiyo is now just 22 points behind the current second-placed rider in the championship. As the 2014 MCE British Superbike season reaches round six, competition for the vital Showdown spots that put riders in contention for the championship title in September is heating up.
Lee Jackson is stepping up a second time and will be riding in both the Superstock 1000 class, where he is currently third in the championship, and in British Superbikes to fill for James Westmoreland. James is due to have his pins removed this week and will be returning to riding as soon as possible following his unfortunate crash at Snetterton.
Ryuichi Kiyonari said: “I’m feeling good about going to Thruxton. The circuit is so different to everything else on the calendar and nothing like Brands Hatch or Knockhill. It’s very fast, very hard on the bike and there are lots of long corners and very few straights – which is the kind of riding I like. I’ve had good results there in the past and once won both races, and I think we’re going to be very fast. Now we’re in the middle of the season, it’s very important to be on the podium every race, I think we can do this. Our target is now always to win, or be very close. The team have got my bike working very well, so now I have to do my job and win for them.”
Stuart Hicken, Team Owner, said: “We won at Knockhill and again at Brands Hatch, proving it’s no fluke from Kiyo. Two good weekends got him into the Showdown spots and now we want to keep the pressure on – and keep winning. Looking at the way he’s riding, I have no doubt he can take the fight to the other riders. Unfortunately James Westmoreland won’t be fit in time for Thruxton, so Lee Jackson will be filling in a second time in both BSB and Superstock 1000. Lee only narrowly missed out on a points-scoring position on his BSB debut so we’re confident that he’ll do well given a second chance.”
Lee Jackson said: “I’m very pleased to have another opportunity to try riding the BSB bike. It was a real learning experience, and I think that I’ll be in an even better position to aim for a points-scoring finish this weekend. I’m also very eager to get out in the Superstock 1000 race as I was disappointed not to win at Brands Hatch after leading the race. A podium finish was good, but I wanted better. Hopefully at Thruxton I can have three really good races.”
The sixth round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship takes place at Thruxton Circuit, Hampshire on 1/2/3 August 2014. For more information and to book tickets click here.
MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship standings after Brands Hatch:
1. Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 221
2. Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) 129
3. James Ellison (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) 124
4. Ryuichi Kiyonari (Buildbase BMW Motorrad) 107
5. Tommy Bridewell (Milwaukee Yamaha) 101
6. Chris Walker (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) 96
12. James Westmoreland (Buildbase BMW Motorrad) 39
Pirelli Superstock 1000 Championship standings after Brands Hatch:
1. Danny Buchan (Tsingtao WK Kawasaki) 120
2. Jason O’Halloran (Honda Racing) 86
3. Lee Jackson (Buildbase BMW Motorrad) 66
4. Filip Backlund (SMT Kawasaki) 59
5. Josh Elliot (GA Homer Racing Kawasaki)
6. Hudson Kennaugh (Linxcel Trik BMW) 38