KIYONARI AT THE DOUBLE FROM BROOKES MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship ROUND FIVE MALLORY PARK 27 JUNE Ryuichi Kiyonari put his bid for the MCE Insurance British Superbike crown firmly back on track with a brilliant winning double in the fifth round at Mallory Park where he headed off his HM Plant Honda team-mate Josh Brookes in each of the races. The Japanese rider was at his best, lapping consistently and strongly, as he moved into fourth place in the standings while Brookes was not complaining too much about being second best as his points haul capitalised on a day of misfortune for series leading Tommy Hill. The Worx Crescent Suzuki rider was complaining of a machine problem in the opener, but was given a life-line when the race was stopped on the fourth lap as Martin Jessopp and Dan Linfoot tangled. His team worked on the bike, but Hill was soon in trouble again on the re-start, pitting with a clutch problem. Kiyonari was carving through from fourth on the opening lap be leading the pack at half distance with Brookes tucked in behind and trying everything he knew to find a way through as early race leader Michael Laverty on the Relentless Suzuki ran third, but not by much from the determined RidersMotorcycles,com Ducati riding Michael Rutter. Next time out, it was local favourite Chris Walker, aboard his privately entered Suzuki who made the early running, but Kiyonari who blamed himself for a poor start had soon made amends and by the second lap was running at the head of the pack with Brookes now attacking Walker for second place. Brookes was through to second on the seventh lap, but Kiyonari was dictating terms from the front. Walker was under pressure from Michael Laverty and by then Stuart Easton, fifth in the opener, had tipped off his Swan Honda. Kiyonari ruled supreme taking his third victory of the season by some 3.601secs from Brookes and afterwards he reflected: “I am very happy to take these two victories which put me well up in the championship. In the first race, I had some special braking at the chicane and made a difficult pass on Michael Laverty I said sorry to him as I pushed him wide! “Then in the second my start was not so good and I was overtaken, but I got my head down and put in consistent laps and finished ahead of Josh again which was hard to do as he wanted the race wins,” added Kiyonari. Brookes admitted he lacked speed on Kiyonari. “I was not able to bridge the gap, but Kiyo clearly had a good race strategy and I am please to have taken a pair of seconds when Tommy Hill has had a bad weekend now I am only four points down on him, but, it would have been even better if I had won.” Michael Laverty took third place ahead of Rutter with Chris Walker fifth from John Laverty aboard the Buildbase Kawasaki and Simon Andrews on the MSS Colchester Kawasaki. Hudson Kennaugh extended his lead in the Mirror.co.uk BSB-EVO category, despite running second in the opener to his Jentin BMW rival Steve Brogan the Liverpudlian tipped off early on next time out as Kennaugh took the race victory on the MAR Kawasaki. Results – Round five – MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship Race one 25 laps Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) 23m 42.274s Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) +1.820s Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +3.573s Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) +3.753s Stuart Easton (Swan Honda) +13.883s Chris Walker (CW Racing Suzuki) +14.155s Simon Andrews (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +16.175s John Laverty (Buildbase Kawasaki) +16.343s Andrew Pitt (Motorpoint Yamaha) +19.469s Alastair Seeley (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +19.913s Race two 30 laps Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) 28m 20.065s Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) +3.601s Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +9.726s Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) +10.819s Chris Walker (CW Racing Suzuki) +19.126s John Laverty (Buildbase Kawasaki) +21.249s Simon Andrews (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +22.812s Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +23.085s Tommy Bridewell (Quay Garage Honda) +23.326s Andrew Pitt (Motorpoint Yamaha) +23.950s Championship standings: Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) 154 Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) 150 Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) 133 Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) 128 Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) 114 John Laverty (Buildbase Kawasaki) 98 More, from a press release issued by Swan Honda: ELLISON BACK ON POINT SCORING FORM AT MALLORY PARK The Swan Honda team were back to full force at Mallory Park for the fifth round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship today as James Ellison made his much-anticipated return with an impressive performance just ten weeks after breaking his femur saw him score points in both races. Ellison had improved his lap times throughout the weekend and continued his progress in the opening race where he worked his way up to thirteenth, before finishing twelfth in race two following an on track battle with Gary Mason and Dan Linfoot. Easton fought hard from his fourteenth place on the grid in the opening race with some determined moves to put himself back inside the top five on the second Swan Honda. However in race two whilst fighting in seventh in the second race he caught the engine casing on the kerb which caused him to crash out of contention. Ellison said: “It was a difficult weekend for me and came with high expectations, which is natural as a rider, but I did the best I could possibly do and I scored points for the championship. I was feeling physically tired towards the end of the races, which is something I am not used to so that is frustrating for me, but I was still giving it everything I could. I haven’t been able to train over the past weeks as I would do normally and that is where I lost out as I wasn’t as physically fit as the leading riders. I look at the weekend though as this has been a really good test for me as it was the first time I had ridden competitively since the crash and I felt more comfortable in race two after getting race one under my belt. That means that for Knockhill I am setting my goal to be an improvement on my results here and I think that is definitely possible. I want to put the Swan Honda back where it should be, not only for myself but the whole team who have put in so much hard work and dedication.” Easton said: “I was happy with the first race, especially after the disappointing qualifying session yesterday so to start from 14th was always going to be tough. The fact that the race was red flagged was fortunate for me as it meant at the restart I was a row further forward. I just chipped away and was able to pass Simon Andrews and Chris Walker so all things considered it was a good result. In race two I thought I could do a similar performance and I had moved up to the second row, but I just caught the engine casing on the kerb at the Bus Stop and that was me down and out. I am now setting my sights on my home race next weekend and getting back inside the top six.” Swan Honda team manager Shaun Muir concluded: “James battled against the elements and I have been really pleased with his performance this weekend. He showed real determination here and he scored points, which is the important thing as they all build up and they could mean everything later in the season. Stuart battled in the first race to a strong fifth from his 14th place on the grid, following the problems we had earlier in the weekend, and he was looking for an even better result in the second one, but he just caught the kerb and it was an error, but these things do happen. We now have a few days before Knockhill and Stuart is determined to put on a good show for his home crowd, whilst James is looking to get back inside the top ten and get some more points on the board again next weekend.” More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service: Michael Laverty continued his impressive run of form in the British Superbike Championship earlier today with the Relentless by TAS Suzuki team, posting his fourth and fifth BSB podiums of the season and taking third place in both races. Laverty also maintained third place in the Championship standing and now sits on 133 points, just 21 behind series leader and fellow Suzuki rider Tommy Hill, with Australia’s Josh Brookes wedged in between them. Alastair Seeley scored 11 points on his Mallory Park BSB debut with 10th and 11th placed finishes and the current National Superstock champion is just eight points outside the top six. Michael Laverty: “I’m reasonably happy with two third-placed finishes today as it’s good for the Championship. But if I’m being honest I had expected to get a win following the pace we had shown throughout practice on the Relentless Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike. The other boys found something extra today and I wasn’t able to respond, but we will move on to Knockhill next weekend in a confident frame of mind. We are in good shape in the championship following a run of five consecutive podiums, and although my consistency is paying off, I want to win some races. The team has done a good job again this weekend and gave me a very capable bike, so thanks to them for the effort.” Alastair Seeley: “My goal was to score solid points today and from fourth and third row grid positions I think we did okay, but it was a tough day at the office. I would have been happier to be well inside the top 10, but we battled hard and stay within fighting distance of the top six leaving Mallory. I was closing down on ninth in the first race and just ran out of laps and in race two I had a few small problems that I had to work around. All in all we’ve kept in on track and scored points, so I’m now looking forward to Knockhill where I’ve had some success in the past on the Superstock GSX-R1000.” Philip Neill – Team Manager: “I’m pleased enough with the weekend and it really is nice to be back in the BSB paddock. In saying that, it seems like we are stuck on third placed finishes, with two at the TT followed by two here at Mallory. I’m pretty satisfied though with another couple of podiums – Michael’s fourth and fifth in a row – and it’s also good for the Championship, but I know we can win races. We know as a team where we can improve and Michael knows where he can improve as a rider, but I was impressed with his fitness today. Alastair did what we expected and battled hard and he scored points when others didn’t, so that will set him up well for Knockhill next week.” British Superbike Championship, Mallory Park, race one result: 1. Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) 2. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) +1.820s 3. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +3.573s 4. Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) +3.753s 5. Stuart Easton (Swan Honda) +13.883s 6. Chris Walker (CW Racing Suzuki) +14.155s 7. Simon Andrews (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +16.175s 8. John Laverty (Buildbase Kawasaki) +16.343s 9. Andrew Pitt (Motorpoint Yamaha) +19.469s 10. Alastair Seeley (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +19.913s British Superbike Championship, Mallory Park, race two result: 1. Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) 2. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) +3.601s 3. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +9.726s 4. Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) +10.819s 5. Chris Walker (CW Racing Suzuki) +19.126s 6. John Laverty (Buildbase Kawasaki) +21.249s 7. Simon Andrews (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +22.812s 8. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +23.085s 9. Tommy Bridewell (Quay Garage Honda) +23.326s 10. Andrew Pitt (Motorpoint Yamaha) +23.950s MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship standings: 1. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) 154 2. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) 150 3. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) 133 4. Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) 128 5. Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) 114 More, from a press release issued by GNS Racing: DOUBLE PODIUM FOR GNS RACING GNS Racing’s Sam Lowes put in another excellent ride in round five of the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport Championship today as he finished second at Mallory Park in Leicestershire. The 19-year-old pulled through the pack to secure the runner-up spot and the result moved him to joint top of the Championship table. Having qualified in a strong third place, just 0.241s off pole position, Lowes made a solid start to lie in fifth place at the completion of the first lap and moved up to fourth just two laps later. Positions remained the same for the next four laps but on the seventh lap, the safety car came out due to debris on the track, thus allowing the pack to bunch up. When the safety car pulled in on lap ten, Sam didn’t wait long to make his move and, two laps later, he moved into third place as he overhauled the Kawasaki of Ben Wilson. The pace setting Yamahas of Billy McConnell and James Westmoreland had opened up a small gap but, as we have become accustomed to this season, Sam wasn’t going to settle for the position he was in and, slowly but surely, he closed in on the back wheel of Westmoreland. The Lincolnshire youngster sat behind Westmoreland for a number of laps but, with three laps remaining, he moved up into second and he promptly pulled away from Westmoreland to secure the position. After 25 hard laps in strong heat, Sam crossed the line just 2.033s adrift of McConnell to secure 20 more points for his Championship challenge, which now sees him tied for the lead with Westmoreland. Meanwhile, there was double celebration for the team with Paul Jordan claiming second place in the Cup competition on the second GNS Honda. The Ulsterman had qualified in an excellent 18th place and by half race distance he was up into the Championship points proper and he held on to 15th place to score a good championship point. However, more important were the 20 points meaning he’s now got his Cup title bid firmly back on track. Sam Lowes: “I’m really happy with the podium and whilst you always want to win, second is a great result for the Championship whilst it also means I’ve finished on the podium in every race I’ve finished. The safety car helped the group bunch up and once I’d got by Ben I got my head down and set about closing the gap to Westy. I dug deep and reeled him in and made a good, clean pass to secure the position. The bike’s absolutely flying and the team did a terrific job once more and they’ve worked tremendously hard again all weekend so a big thanks to them. The meetings come thick and fast now so let’s hope I can get on a roll and keep these podiums coming.” Paul Jordan: “I felt a lot better this weekend because we’d been testing here before the meeting and that definitely helped. It was a lot more positive compared to Cadwell and I’m a lot happier. We had some brake problems at the start of the weekend but my technician sorted it out for me, so it’s a big thanks to the team for all their hard work. I’m leaving here on a high so hopefully we can progress from here again at Knockhill next weekend.” Gary Stubbington: “I’m very pleased for both of the riders. Sam worked exceptionally well all weekend and a podium was well deserved. Also, the same with Paul, he had a few problems but we got through them and once he got into gear he got a good result of 15th overall in the race and is now 4th in the Cup championship, just four points behind the leader, which is absolutely brilliant. This just shows that we, as a team, are growing in stature.” Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport Championship result (25 laps) 1 Billy McConnell (Yamaha) 24m30.058s 2 Sam Lowes (GNS Racing Honda) +2.033s 3 James Westmoreland (Yamaha) +6.030s 4 Glen Richards (Honda) +12.929s 5 Jack Kennedy (Yamaha) +13.142s 6 Graeme Gowland (Honda) +13.309s 7 Ben Wilson (Kawasaki) +17.035s 8 Allan Jon Venter (Triumph) +17.879s 9 Luke Mossey (Triumph) +18.832s 10 Joe Dickinson (Honda) +19.008s 15 Paul Jordan (GNS Racing Honda) +34.350s Cup result 1 Luke Mossey (Triumph) 2 Paul Jordan (GNS Racing Honda) 3 Shaun Winfield (Triumph) 4 Jenny Tinmouth (Honda) 5 Patrick McDougall (Yamaha) Championship standings (after 5 rounds) 1 Lowes (GNS Racing Honda) 81 = Westmoreland 81pts 3 McConnell 79 4 Gowland 54 5 Kennedy 53 6 Wilson 43 Cup standings after (after 5 rounds) 1 Kneen 68 2 McDougall 67 3 Tinmouth 66 4 Jordan (GNS Racing Honda) 64 More, from a press release issued by Jentin Racing: UP AND DOWN WEEKEND FOR JENTIN RACING-BMW MOTORRAD AT MALLORY PARK Jentin Racing-BMW Motorrad’s Steve Brogan experienced highs and lows at this weekend’s Mallory Park British Superbike round, securing a win in the Evo Superbike class in race one but then being taken out in the second race. The likeable Liverpudlian recovered from a practice crash yesterday to head into turn one at the Leicestershire track in third place before going passed his two Evo Superbike rivals in a handful of laps. Brogan was unlucky to be taken out by a wayward competitor in the second race but was upbeat about his weekend. Brogan said: “In the first race, I got a pretty good start and got up to third in the Evo class. I had given my hand a good clout in the crash yesterday and it was pretty badly swollen, but I quickly relaxed and settled into a rhythm just to see how the hand was feeling and where I could push with it and where I had to take it a bit easier. “I was running a pretty good pace, considering, and I managed to pass the two Evo bikes in front within a few more laps. I then set about putting some distance between us. I had asked the team to give me signals to the closest Evo so I soon realised I wasn’t able to shake them off so I pushed hard and managed to put a couple of the full-spec Superbikes between us and held on until the flag for the win. “The plan for the second race was just to get stuck in and try for another podium. I made an aggressive start but going into the first chicane on the first lap another rider cut across me and wiped my front end out. As I slid across the track I got a little whack in the back from a Kawasaki and that was me finished for the day. “I’m pretty pleased, and quite relieved, that we’ve walked away with twenty five points from the weekend, which isn’t a bad result considering the problems we had to overcome.” Team manager Bernie Toleman said: “Our weekend has literally been up and down. The crash in practice really put us up against it. Not only did Steve have to deal with an injury but there were a few technical gremlins that we were unable to fully iron out for the races. “For Steve to win the Evo class and finish 14th was really way beyond what we were expecting, it really was one of his best performances of the year so far. Once we’d won the first race with no addition problems there was a reasonable hope that we could rostrum again in race two. “Steve started in his normal aggressive style but the first lap chicane argy-bargy didn’t go in his favour and he went down. Thankfully both rider and bike were fine. “We’re leaving Mallory quite positive. After the crash yesterday, 25 points seemed very ambitious, but again the team managed to pull a result out of the bag. We’ll go to Knockhill next weekend confident that we have the performance to achieve more podiums.” MCE British Superbikes & Mirror.co.uk BSB-EVO Championship Race 1 1 Ryuichi KIYONARI Honda – HM Plant Honda 2 Josh BROOKES Honda – HM Plant Honda 3 Michael LAVERTY Suzuki – Relentless Suzuki by TAS 4 Michael RUTTER Ducati – RidersMotorcycles.Com 5 Stuart EASTON Honda – Swan Honda 6 Chris WALKER Suzuki – CW Racing 7 Simon ANDREWS Kawasaki – MSS Colchester Kawasaki 8 John LAVERTY Kawasaki – Buildbase Kawasaki 9 Andrew PITT Yamaha – Motorspoint Yamaha 10 Alastair SEELEY Suzuki – Relentless Suzuki by TAS 14 E Steve BROGAN BMW – Jentin Racing – BMW Motorrad Race 2 1 Ryuichi KIYONARI Honda – HM Plant Honda 2 Josh BROOKES Honda – HM Plant Honda 3 Michael LAVERTY Suzuki – Relentless Suzuki by TAS 4 Michael RUTTER Ducati – RidersMotorcycles.Com 5 Chris WALKER Suzuki – CW Racing 6 John LAVERTY Kawasaki – Buildbase Kawasaki 7 Simon ANDREWS Kawasaki – MSS Colchester Kawasaki 8 Tommy HILL Suzuki – Worx Crescent Suzuki 9 Tommy BRIDEWELL Honda – Quay Garage Honda 10 Andrew PITT Yamaha – Motorspoint Yamaha DNF E Steve BROGAN BMW – Jentin Racing – BMW Motorrad