Lavilla and Kiyonari take honours

Defending champion Gregorio Lavilla and Ryuichi Kiyonari shared the victories in the opening round of the British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch.
Spain’s Lavilla, who started on pole position, won the opening race comfortably having shaken off Airwaves Ducati team-mate Leon Haslam.

Haslam crashed heavily while in second place at Paddock Hill, but returned to take second in the afternoon’s race.

HM Plant Honda rider Kiyonari won by 19 seconds on full wet tyres.

Lavilla, who gambled on slicks and showed amazing control, was denied second place on the final lap by the determined Haslam.

¿I had to do that to redeem myself,” said Haslam, referring to his crash in the first race.

“I was trying to push too hard, the rear came round and it caught me out big time. Instead of settling for safe points, I wanted more, so I’m cursing myself.¿