Hopkins and Kiyonari share spoils
Added on Sunday, July 3rd, 2011 by Carole Nash Editor
Hopkins and Kiyonari share spoils
John Hopkins and Ryuichi Kiyonari shared the spoils at Snetterton today, as the british Superbike Championship enjoys another installment to the 2011 title battle.
Race one saw Hopkins transfer yesterday’s pole position for victory, having scored the very first British Superbike win on the new Snetterton 300 circuit.
After becoming the first American to claim pole position in the BSB championship yesterday, his strong performance was backed up by an eventful race and victory today. As the first race began, Hopkins held onto the advantage, as others slotted in behind. However, the Samsung Crescent Racing Suzuki rider slipped wide early on in the opening lap, but those nehind him were unable to steal his lead.
As the race progressed, Hopkins was constantly hounded by Tommy Hill, with the pair eventually crossing the finish line just 0.274 seconds apart.
Behind, championship leader Shane Byrne enjoyed a very brief stint at the front, when he inherited the lead under-braking. However, this was short lived, when Hopkins immediately reclaimed his position, whilst Byrne eventually slipped back to third place.
Michael Laverty pounced through the field after qualifying twelfth yesterday, to finish a strong fourth, after winning a tense battle with Jon Kirkham. Ryuichi Kiyonari launched himself through the order, however a slight error caused him to lose out on fourth place. Despite his woes, the HM Plant Honda rider fought back to fifth place with just two laps to go.
Kirham secured sixth place, inched adrift of Kiyonari, with Josh Brookes seventh and Chris Walker eighth. Walker had enjoyed a stint at the front earlier on, however dropped down the order as the race progressed. The final two top ten spots went the way of Loris Baz and Peter Hickman.
Pole position for race two gave Kiyonari the advantage this time around, however an eventful outing was in store.
First lap drama saw Hopkins steal the lead from Kiyonari early on, as a battered Hill was forced to retire after an incident. Before long Hopkins came under pressure from Kiyonari and Brookes, as the fight for honours was very much open.
A red flag played an important part in this second race on the eighth lap, as a crash between Simon Andrews and Steve Brogan was tended to. It was later confirmed that Andrews has a broken right leg and Brogan has sustained a shoulder injury.
As the race restarted Hopkins continued his strong form, immediately jumping back into the lead. Chaos ensued shortly afterwards when Hopkins was passed by Byrne for the top spot. The pair collided on the final tour whilst trying to dispute honours, causing them both to lose out.
As thie incident occured, Kiyonari stormed passed into the lead, dragging former HM Plant Honda teammate Brookes along with him for second. Hopkins was able to rejoin in third place,whilst Byrne recovered to fourth.
Fifth place went the way of Michael Laverty, ahead of Martin Jessop and Loris Baz. Meanwhile Walker, Ian Lowry and Jake Zemke rounded out the top ten.
The next round takes place at Oulton Park, Cheshire, over the weekend of 16th-17th July.
