Category:
Racing
Created: 15 October 2007
Ryuichi Kiyonari arrived at Brands Hatch knowing that a top four finish in the opening race of the final round would be sufficient for him to retain the Bennetts British Superbike title he had clinched a year earlier in the corresponding round.
It might have seemed a formality for the 25 year old HM Plant Honda rider who had qualified fifth fastest, but, who was quickly away at the start to be running second in the early stages to his team-mate, and title outsider Jonathan Rea.
“I was very nervous. For me it was difficult. If you push too hard, might crash, but do not push on, maybe lose concentration and crash,” he explained with a smile after finishing the first race in third place.
“Very important for me to win the title, now twice. I tried to ride normally after a good start to the race but could not relax at all. My bike was good, tyres good, and now, I am very, very happy,” added Kiyonari. “Now try to win second race.”
That was to prove to be out of his reach as Gregorio Lavilla, who had signalled his intent by claiming pole start at record pace. The Airwaves Ducati rider had moved through from fourth on the opening lap of the first race in which Tom Sykes tumbled out of third place at one thirds distance.
Lavilla, stylish as ever, reeled in the two leading Hondas, moving into the lead with ten laps remaining, and then powering to his first victory since his success at Oulton Park back in May.
The Spaniard remarked...“The bike is perfect and for me it was important to ride as I know that I can.” He was in contention from the start of the second, moving into third place, at the expense of Shane Byrne, adrift of Rea and Kiyonari when the race was stopped as James Buckingham crashed, his Quay Garage Honda spraying oil onto the track.
On the re-start, Rea again made the running, ahead of Kiyonari with Lavilla having to pass his team-mate Leon Haslam and Cal Crutchlow in his efforts to secure a daily double. Lavilla was leading just into the second half of the race, from Rea and Byrne who was to crash heavily out at Paddock.
Crutchlow took over in third to claim his first podium on the Rizla, as he led Kiyonari over the line. Lavilla had the victory on what might be his farewell appearance at the circuit: “We don’t know what we are doing next year – maybe there will be the chance, but I don’t have any offers on the table.”
In contrast, Kiyonari, presented with his Champion’s Trophy, knows that he will be moving to World Superbikes, having finished 433-407 ahead of Rea who will be riding in World Supersport. Haslam, who finished these races fourth and fifth, took third place overall, 387-368, over Lavilla.
Tristan Palmer completed a winning double aboard the Tena for Men THR Honda clinched the British Superbike Cup 426-373 over Buckingham who had finished second in the opener, but crashed next time out.
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