Kiyonari heads BSB test

Ryuichi Kiyonari has topped the timesheets at the British Superbikes official test day at Donington park on Sunday, March 13.

The Japanese rider put in 52 laps with a best time of 1:32.676, nearly half a second faster than team-mate Michael Rutter. Rutter had to contend with a highside at the Craner Curves section of the circuit but was able to remount his bike and ride back round to the pits to avoid losing much time.

Karl Harris put his Honda Racing UK bike into third position, just ahead of GP veteran Jeremy McWilliams on the Stobart Honda machine. Fifth place was the first non-Honda, with the Hawk Kawasaki of Glen Richards.

Scott Smart was sixth quickest on the Rizla Suzuki, with a time of 1:34.242. he was watched by team-mate John Reynolds who is still intent on racing at the opening round at Brands Hatch on Easter Monday, despite breaking his right leg in five places in a testing crash at Valencia.

Seventh quickest was Dean Thomas, eighth Gary Mason, ninth Michael Laverty and tenth Jonathan Rea. That means Honda machinery took seven of the top ten times at the test.