Knockhill BSB: Kiyo returns with race one win

Ryuichi Kiyonari has taken his first MCE British Superbike win in three seasons, winning the opening race of the day in easy style from fellow triple champion Shane Byrne to hand BMW their first ever BSB podium.

Kiyonari was able to make the most of his pole start to lead from start to finish, after Byrne messed up his start. The Japanese star then disappeared off, eventually stretching out his lead from the battle to second by five seconds.

Byrne had a chasing pack to move through, with Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki teammate Stuart Easton, the Milwaukee Yamaha of Josh Brookes, and James Ellison on the GBmoto Kawasaki all hunting down Kiyonari.

However, Ellison was soon to fall, colliding with Easton at the hairpin on only lap two to break his consistent record of podium finishes this year. Easton, who was deemed by race control to be at fault, was punished with a dock of three grid positions for race two, but kept his eventual podium finish in third.

Brookes was another victim of the race, losing momentum after the podium men made their move on him, eventually dropping back to finish sandwiched between the second GBmoto of Chris Walker and his teammate Tommy Bridewell.