Saturday, 6th September 2008

Ryuichi Kiyonari certainly wins points for artistic flair, but it isn't good enough for pole position.

Ryuichi Kiyonari admits he wasn't ‘smooth enough' to secure pole position for the latest round of the World Superbike Championship at Donington Park.

The Japanese rider, who won both rounds at Brands Hatch last month, has starred all weekend and is yet to feature outside the top three. However, his efforts in Superpole were still not good enough for pole position as he emerged marginally behind Troy Bayliss.

Spectacular to watch as he backed the Ten Kate Honda into the damp corners, Kiyonari admits he was happy to make the most of his confidence on the bike, even if it wasn't the quickest route to a pole position winning time.

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“The conditions are difficult but they are the same for everyone,” he told Crash.net Radio. “I was not really good enough, because I wasn't smooth enough.

“Donington in the wet is very, very slippery! We kept working on the set-up, but the machine is fine at the moment. I have a lot of confidence in the bike because it is so good.”

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