Ryuichi Kiyonari heads for
Thruxton and the second round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship this Sunday, 10th April, intent on continuing his high speed early season dominance in the chase for the country's premier crown.
The exciting young Japanese rider is the hot favourite for more success at the high-speed Hampshire circuit, expecting to use the awesome power of his HM Plant Honda Fireblade to the full, but the pursuing pack, including his team-mate Michael Rutter are in no mood to be beaten again.
"We've got to do something about him," smiled Rutter who took fourth and second placings in the opening action at
Brands Hatch where Kiyonari romped clear, starting the season as he ended the previous one, with a winning double.
The team are hoping to taste more of the winner's champagne, but, the series has attracted factory teams from a further four of the world's leading manufacturers, and given the high profile of the action, they are re-doubling their efforts.
The Airwaves Ducati team are feeling good that their bikes will be well suited to the demands of the circuit, with Leon Haslam, the pole starter on his debut with them at Brands Hatch intent on securing better than a fourth place - he is brimming with confidence, but is still awaiting news of who will be riding alongside him in the team.
James Haydon missed the opening action, having sustained hand injuries during pre-season testing, and he faces a race against time to be fit - he was taking specialist advice, and could be in action, but should he not make the starting grid, expect to see the sport's super-sub Gregorio Lavilla in action. The Spaniard took second and third placings in the opener, and also raced at Thruxton last year when he enjoyed a podium finish.
Sean Emmett is another rider to watch - a pair of fifth placings underlined the potential of the radically developed one-two-one firing engine of the Virgin Mobile Samsung Yamaha but the Weybridge rider is expecting more, and could well repeat his victory of last year at the circuit.
