Source: BSB.

Ryuichi Kiyonari powered BMW to their historic first ever victory in the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Knockhill in Scotland on Sunday.

The Japanese rider came tantalisingly close to making it a double, but was denied the victory by just 0.176s in race two by Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne after an epic duel between the triple title-winners.

It was Kiyonari’s first victory in three years and the result was even more impressive after he bounced back from a crash during the morning warm-up session. Kiyonari made the perfect get-away on his Buildbase BMW to lead throughout the opening race with Byrne pushing to overcome a sluggish start and unable to close the gap in the final stages.

Kiyonari reflected: “I was very nervous before the start as I was very disappointed to have the crash which was my big mistake. When the race started though it went and I thought ‘I can’t let Shakey’ get me’. I got the gap and tried hard to hold off Shakey which is never easy, but I enjoyed the race and the win. It feels so good to win again.”

Byrne blamed himself for his slow start and despite giving chase to his rival was forced to settle for second ahead of his team-mate Stuart Easton who scored his first podium finish of the season at his home round.

Byrne was determined to set the record straight in race two, but he was unable to shake off the resurgent Kiyonari who closed him down and then snatched the lead with a decisive move at the Hairpin.

The Buildbase BMW rider had the edge until a dramatic moment when he was flicked up out of the seat and it handed Byrne the opportunity to pass. Kiyonari hadn’t given up though and chased him down hard, closing from 0.8s to just 0.176s at the finish line and within striking distance of his rival.

Byrne said: “It’s fair to say that Kiyo has been the man to beat all weekend, his pace has been phenomenal. He came past me and then when he made a mistake I knew that was my chance. I got it back, but he still tried to get me, like a little robot with a chip in him not wanting to give up.”

Kiyonari added: “I am disappointed to not have won again. I am happy to show that I can still win and finish on the podium and I have to thank the team. I was strong in race two and Shakey was very fast but it was difficult and I made mistakes. Next time I will try for no mistakes and for more podiums or wins at Brands Hatch, my favourite circuit.”

Walker, despite the pain of a broken finger sustained in a crash during Friday free practice returned to the podium in third place ahead of a dissapointed Brookes and Easton.

Milwaukee Yamaha’s Josh Brookes was fourth in both races, retaining second in the standings 79 points behind Byrne. Josh Waters rode his Tyco Suzuki to a DNF in race one and 16th in the second.

Techcare/Profile Triumph’s Luke Mossey celebrated the victory in the Motorpoint British Supersport Championship Feature race at Knockhill whilst yesterday’s race winner Graeme Gowland crashed out of contention.

Gowland’s race was over before it started as he crashed at turn two, ending his hopes of making it four wins in a row. Chaz Beale crashed at turn one and the Nissan GT-R Safety Car was deployed and as the pack settled down behind the order was Luke Stapleford, Luke Jones, Luke Mossey, Jake Dixon and Billy McConnell.

When the race was resumed the riders jostled for position at the front with Mossey and Stapleford switching positions throughout before Mossey edged ahead. McConnell and Stapleford then were dicing for positions and with contact between the pair neither we giving an inch. On the final lap McConnell had the edge and he held on to second for the Smiths Racing Triumph team.

Dixon held fourth with Alastair Seeley heading off the challenge from Glenn Irwin for fifth position. In the Motorpoint British Supersport Evo race Alex Olsen claimed the victory from Tim Hastings and Ben Field.

Superstock 1000 series leader Danny Buchan charged to victory at record pace but behind there was a spectacular duel for the placings with Lee Jackson snatching second place from David Johnson with Jason O’Halloran fourth.

Pole starter Buchan led throughout, pulling clear and his cause was helped when reigning champion Hudson Kennaugh tipped out of second place at quarter distance. Adam Jenkinson took over in second but he later crashed too.

Johnson held second through to the start of the final lap but Jackson had other ideas, pushing ahead of him and winning the dash to the line to be a distant second to Buchan who enjoyed his third win in four starts.

Series leader Andy Reid aboard the FFX Yamaha held off the determined late challenges from Tarran Mackenzie on the WD40 Kawasaki to take the victory by half a second. Joe Collier took third place ahead of Snetterton race winner Kyle Ryde. Of the Aussies, Levi Day was seventh, Benjamin Currie ninth and James Mutton 27th.

2014 MCE British Superbike Championship
Round four – Knockhill, Scotland

Superbike race one results:
1. Ryuichi Kiyonari
2. Shane Byrne
3. Stuart Easton
4. Josh Brookes (AUS)
5. Chris Walker

Superbike race two results:
1. Shane Byrne
2. Ryuichi Kiyonari
3. Chris Walker
4. Josh Brookes (AUS)
5. Stuart Easton
16. Josh Waters (AUS)

Superbike championship standings:
1. Shane Byrne 190
2. Josh Brookes (AUS) 111
3. James Ellison 108
4. Tommy Bridewell 88
5. Ryuichi Kiyonari 82
15. Josh Waters (AUS) 19

Supersport feature race results:
1. Luke Mossey
2. Billy McConnell (AUS)
3. Luke Stapleford
4. Jake Dixon
5. Alastair Seeley

Supersport championship standings:
1. Billy McConnell (AUS) 152
2. Graeme Gowland 111
3. Alastair Seeley 102
4. Luke Stapleford 102
5. Glenn Irwin 100

Click here for detailed results