Kiyonari: "Last year we started from zero, this year we start high"

Author: Oli Rushby Posted: 02 Apr 2015

Ryuichi Kiyonari has said he feels he is starting this year’s British Superbike championship on a higher level than he did last year.

After three winless years, the three-times British champion returned to winning ways in 2014, only missing out on a chance to fight for the title after breaking his collarbone in a practice crash in the final round at Brands Hatch. 

“I’m feeling good on the new bike, the new BMW is very good but I’m not sure of its full potential as I only had a couple of tests”, said Kiyonari speaking to Bike Social. “So far so good, but I think there is more to come. We’ve mainly worked on the same settings from last year so we need to step forward in this area. I know we can improve more!

“Last year I started from zero and things got better, better, better but this year we start from medium or high. I don’t want to say it is easy but I think we can make a good start, better than last year. I hope we can win more than last year.”

Kiyonari finished third fastest in the official test at Donington Park last week, despite a huge highside at the second corner.

“I don’t want to crash before the race but… it was just a highside, just a little bit too much open gas. Before the crash I felt very good and there was no problem, I just tried to make the rear slide but a little bit too quick, you know, I tried to make it slide and then not slide but, oops!”

The first round of the British Superbike championship gets underway this easter weekend at Donington Park.

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