Kiyo and Bridewell make Bennetts Suzuki debut

Three-time MCE British Superbike champion Ryuichi Kiyonari has had his first outing on the Bennetts Suzuki he will campaign in 2016 flying back form his home in Japan to begin pre-season testing alongside teammate Tommy Bridewell.

Taking to a damp Brands Hatch for an initial shakedown test before heading to Spain’s Cartagena track next week for their first test proper, the Japanese rider – who got his first taste of Suzuki machinery last year en route to a podium finish at the Suzuka 8 Hour – says he enjoyed getting back on two wheels after a long winter break.

“I am very happy to be back, I have only been in the UK a day but I was excited because I haven’t been on a bike since Silverstone. It was wet but I enjoyed it. I know the potential of the Suzuki from the Suzuka 8 Hour, it is a different, but the machine is good.

“The team have a lot of experience; today our target was to check everything for Spain and that is what we did. Spain will be a proper test and I have confidence with the team; we have a plan for Cartagena and Guadix and I just need to adapt to the bike ready for the season.”

Meanwhile teammate Bridewell, who makes a return to the team and to Suzuki machinery, says that despite the conditions, the brief outing was productive.

“It was a bit cold and damp today but it was definitely nice to get a few laps on the Bennetts Suzuki for the first time, and although the conditions weren’t the best as it was quite damp, it certainly didn’t make it any less fun! It was important for us to have some laps today just to check everything over so we can then get to Spain and get some testing done and so we are ready to get cracking at the first round.”