British Superbike Championship: Ryuichi Kiyonari claims Donington Park double
Last Updated: 07/09/14 6:38pm
Ryuichi Kiyonari notched his second double win of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Donington Park on Sunday.
The Buildbase BMW rider held off championship leader Shane Byrne twice at the Leicestershire circuit to close to 27 points behind his rival in third place in the table.
Despite Byrne continuing his attack throughout the second race, the Japanese ace held off the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki rider by 0.489 seconds to complete his double.
The first race was closer, with Kiyonari winning by 0.184 seconds from Byrne after the pair had battled for the lead right to the final lap, when Byrne ran wide to allow Kiyonari to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
Byrne still leaves Donington Park with a 26 point lead over nearest pursuer Josh Brookes, who posted third and sixth placed finishes in the two races.
Tommy Bridewell, third in the opener, tipped off his Yamaha in the second race to remain fourth in the standings.
Both Dan Linfoot and Chris Walker scored sufficient points to secure places among the elite group of six riders who qualify for the Showdown title-deciding sequence that begins in two weeks' times at Assen in Holland.
