Kiyonari crowned champion
Added on Sunday, October 10th, 2010 by Carole Nash Editor
Kiyonari crowned champion
As the 2010 British Superbike Championship draws to a close, Ryuichi Kiyonari took a double win to lead him to the championship title.
With one race done and dusted yesterday (Saturday), the riders were left with two more races today (Sunday) to see who would clinch the 2010 title. As the first race of the day, and second of the weekend, got underway, a red flag part way through the outing haltered progress, as points leader Tommy Hill crashed from his Worx Crescent Suzuki whilst trying to pass James Ellison. Despite being able to rejoin in nineteenth place, Hill crashed again shortly afterwards, with his bike bing too damaged to make the restart.
At the second attempt, Kiyonari inherited the lead straight away, as he strived to defend his position from teammate, and title rival, Josh Brookes. Before long Stuart Easton made his way through to second, pushing Brookes back to third, as the championship fight became very mixed up.
With the second outing final at a close it was Kiyonari who stormed to victory, also strengthening his title charge in the absence of Hill. Easton held onto second ahead of Brookes, with Michael Rutter and Alastair Seeley fourth and fifth.
John Laverty progressed to sixth, whilst Ellison recovered to seventh, ahead of Michael Laverty, Loris Baz and Adam Jenkinson.
With a fifteen point advantage over nearest rival Hill, Kiyonari went into the final race of the season with the upper hand. Easton got the better start to lead away from the grid, however as they weaved their way around the opening lap, Michael Laverty jumped ahead of Easton. However it wasn’t long before Kiyonari lunged through for control of the race, as they approached the end of the first lap.
From here, drama struck once again as Gary Mason crashed on the second tour, bringing out the safety car shortly afterwards. As the race restarted, Easton was forced wide into Old Hall (turn one) by Michael Rutter, and before long the Swan Honda rider had been demoted to fourth place.
Despite showing promising pace, Rutter soon went as far as his Ducati would allow him, whe he was forced into retirement on lap five. Easton soon followed in his footsteps, when a technical problem finished his race, and his season.
After quietly sneaking through the field, Brookes was soon lying second and challenging his HM Plant Honda teammate for honours. However, after running out of time, he was forced to settle for second as Kiyonari launched passed the chequered flag first for yet another win, and the championship title.
Ellison held onto third to complete another strong showing, whilst Michael Laverty crossed the line fourth. With a repaired Worx Crescent Suzuki machine, Hill was able to manage a fifth place finish, ahead of Loris Baz in sixth.
Alastair Seeley swept passed in seventh place, with John Laverty and Chris Walker in a very close eighth and ninth. Dan Linfoot completed the top ten in his final race of the year.
The Mirror.co.uk BSB EVO title was awarded to Steve Brogan, despite the Jentin Racing-BMW rider finishing second to Hudson Kennaugh in the outing.
Kiyonari has now won his third title for the HM Plant Honda team, however all attentions are now focused on 2011 and what next season will bring.
