Kiyonari confident despite monster highside

Ryuichi Kiyonari says he’s remained confident ahead of next weekend’s opening round of the 2015 MCE British Superbike Championship at Donington Park – the circuit where he took a double win last year.

Despite suffering from a lack of pre-season testing, the Buildbase BMW rider was quick to get on the pace, spending much of the final session in the top two alongside reigning champion Shane Byrne.

Only a monster highside that saw the former triple champion catapulted over the bars at Redgate slowed him down, and he remains upbeat despite admitting that he left the Derbyshire track a little battered and bruised.

“This was only the third time riding the bike this year, it wasn’t very fast, but I think this was because of the conditions as it was cold and windy. I didn’t expect to be there in the results – I was a little worried because we hadn’t tested on a big BSB circuit for a proper test before yesterday.

“I was a little nervous to start but once we had started the laps were coming better and I wasn’t thinking about anyone else, I was just concentrating on myself and improving. We have been testing the different set-ups and I was trying, but I think I did a little too much trying!

“It was a big mistake to crash with a big high-side which was painful. I was disappointed as it was a big test for us, especially as round one is at the same track next weekend. I felt sore afterwards, but I will still be pushing hard next weekend and I am feeling confident!”