BYRNE TOPS OFFICIAL TEST FROM BUCHAN AS KIYO CRASHES OUT UNHURT
Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne and Ryuichi Kiyonari renewed their on-track rivalry at the front of the pack this afternoon at the official MCE British Superbike Championship test at Donington Park. Byrne, the four-time and reigning MCE BSB champion, claimed the advantage as the Japanese rider crashed unhurt in the closing minutes. 21-year-old young gun Danny Buchan provided the biggest surprise of the day, splitting the pair at the chequered flag on his return to the championship with the Tommy Hill-run Be Wiser Kawasaki team.
The test started in damp conditions with several of the riders waiting until the afternoon to take to the track, with Josh Brookes taking the initial position at the top on the new Yamaha R1 before the times began to tumble as the track conditions improved.
The Buildbase BMW of Kiyonari was improving with every lap, but in the closing ten minutes the former triple champion crashed out at Redgate, the Japanese ace left bruised but ready to make amends next weekend for the opening races of the season.
Byrne seized the opportunity to move ahead at the top of the timesheets, before a hard-charging Buchan split the champions in the closing minutes. The trio headed a promising performance from the Lloyds British Ducati team as they fired the Italian manufacturer into the four in the hands of Jakub Smrz, whilst Honda Racing’s Dan Linfoot completed the top five.
JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s James Ellison held sixth as he edged ahead of Stuart Easton and Richard Cooper, whilst Josh Brookes was the leading Milwaukee Yamaha in ninth with Tyco BMW completing the top ten with Tommy Bridewell.
Former MotoGP star and 2011 MCE BSB title runner-up John Hopkins was spotted in the paddock talking to various teams as he attempts to secure a late return to the championship for 2015.
MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, official test, Donington Park:
1. Shane Byrne (PBM Kawasaki) 1m:31.145
2. Danny Buchan (Be Wiser Kawasaki) +0.222s
3. Ryuichi Kiyonari (Buildbase BMW) +0230s
4. Jakub Smrz (Lloyds British Ducati) +0.243s
5. Dan Linfoot (Honda Racing) +0.284s
6. James Ellison (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +0.303s
7. Stuart Easton (PBM Kawasaki) +0.318s
8. Richard Cooper (Anvil Hire TAG Kawasaki) +0.380s
9. Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) +0.680s
10. Tommy Bridewell (Tyco BMW) +0.890s
2015 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship commences this Easter at Donington
The MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship kicks off the twelve-round season at Donington Park on Easter weekend (4/5/6 April).
Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne begins his title defence nursing a hand injury after a pre-season testing crash in Spain required surgery, whilst Ryuichi Kiyonari is determined to settle the score as he bids to defeat his nemesis in 2015 to equal his record fourth MCE BSB title.
The young guns join the grid in force this season with Be Wiser Kawasaki’s Danny Buchan hot on the pace in pre-season testing, whilst 23-year-old Luke Mossey, who steps up after four seasons in British Supersport, has been equally fast on the Quattro Plant Kawasaki.
Eleven nations feature on the grid with nearly 40 riders set for the start of the campaign including established contenders Tommy Bridewell (Tyco BMW), Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) and James Ellison (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) who are ready to take on Michael Laverty (Tyco BMW) and Broc Parkes (Milwaukee Yamaha) who are MCE BSB-bound after competing in MotoGP.
For the latest on all of the 2015 riders please click here.
For more information please visit www.britishsuperbike.com