Oulton BSB: Kiyo wins in style

Ryuichi Kiyonari has taken a dominant win in the first race of the weekend at Oulton Park, coming from his lowly tenth place on the grid after a Q2 crash to catch first Shane Byrne and then Josh Brookes.
 
Indeed, despite even a heroic last lap of the race that handed him pole position for tomorrow, Brookes was unable to close down therunaway leader after the Japanese former champion had carved his way through the field.
 
Byrne, hurting after a non-racing accident earlier in the week, was left to take third, salvaging a podium credit as he became the first rider to secure his top six Showdown spot.
 
Tommy Bridewell was fourth on the second Milwaukee Yamaha, having initially run with the front trio after Kiyonari passed him, but wasn’t able to stick with them after they raised the pace late in the race, while early third place runner Dan Linfoot was fifth, continuing his impressive form after a pair of fourths last time out.
 
Sixth was John Hopkins, the American finally starting to find his feet on the Tyco Suzuki after a dire start to the season, although his chances of a Showdown spot is still far away.