Gregorio Lavilla and Ryuichi Kiyonari shared the victories in the opening round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch.

Lavilla, who had set the fastest ever lap of the Indy circuit to claim pole start, won the opening race comfortably, having shaken off the early leader, his Airwaves Ducati team-mate Leon Haslam.

The race was stopped at two thirds distance when Haslam crashed heavily out of second place at Paddock Hill, with Karl Harris taking over, just ahead of Michael Rutter as the red-flags came out.

Haslam, in his words, took a bruising, but he was fit to return for the second 30 lap race, the conditions for which posed real problems for all of the racers, as light rain fell, leaving the track damp, but with the prospect of more rain to come.

It was a time for everyone to gamble. HM Plant Honda rider Ryuichi Kiyonari opted for full wet tyres while Lavilla gambled on slicks, with the rest of the starting grid choosing various combinations of tyres.

Kiyonari charged into the distance, making full use of his tyres as the conditions deteriorated, but Lavilla was demonstrating remarkable skills and control as he stayed on the pace, conceding second place to Australian Billy McConnell for a dozen laps in mid race before the Virgin Mobile Yamaha rider crashed out.

By now, Kiyonari had lapped the former champion Shane Byrne, as he romped to a 19 seconds victory, but, on the final lap, Haslam, shrugging aside the intense pain from his injured wrist and ankle, grabbed second place from Lavilla.

“I had to do that to redeem myself,” Haslam explained. “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 cursing myself.”

It was a brave ride, but for sheer skill Lavilla’s third place was amazing: “I had no grip at all – it was just a case of being smooth and not worrying about the others, so I am just happy to finish the race.”

Kiyonari, fourth in the opener, trails Lavilla 41-38 in the title stakes, praised his tyres as the real success: “I was luck – the tyres were very good, even when the rain eased midway through the race. Very happy.”

Craig Coxhell, riding Hawk Kawasaki, took fourth place, ahead of Harris, who is third in the overall standings with 31 points.

Chris Martin, riding the PR Branson Honda, won the British Superbike Cup class in the first race, ahead of Marty Nutt, Gareth Glynn and Malcolm Ashley, while next time out, Nutt took the victory ahead of Zak Barry and Ashley.

Suzuki Report

Rizla Suzuki racers James Haydon and Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne scored valuable points in both races at the opening round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch Indy circuit.

In the first dry race, Byrne battled to sixth while Haydon recovered from a poor start to claim 10th. The race was cut short after 20-laps when Ducati rider Leon Haslam suffered a spectacular crash going into Paddock Hill bend. He was unhurt and his Ducati team mate Gregorio Lavilla won the race.

The second race started in damp conditions and the weather played havoc with tyre choice for all teams. Both Rizla Suzuki racers started with intermediate front and slick rear tyres anticipating the weather to improve but the rain continued to fall throughout the 30-lap race. Both riders showed immense control and maturity with Haydon coming home in seventh and Shakey in 11th as Honda’s Ryuichi Kiyonari won the race.

Defending Champion Lavilla heads the Championship table and the Rizla Suzuki racers are equal seventh.

Rizla Suzuki races at Donington Park in Derbyshire at the second round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship on April 9th.

James Haydon:
“In the opening race on the second lap I went into the left hander at Surtees too fast when my tyre wasn’t up to full temperature and ended up grass tracking. I lost six or seven places and then spent the rest of the race fighting back. I got to 10th before the race was cut short and I’m frustrated because I think I could have got another couple of positions if it had gone full distance.

“Race two was hideous because of the damp conditions. Like most of the rest of the field, I picked the wrong tyres and ended up riding a restrained and controlled race to score points in seventh. My confidence is building and I’m keen to get back on the bike as soon as possible.”

Shane Byrne:
“The first race was very positive and gives us an indication of where we are in relation to the rest of the field. The second race was hard because of the conditions and I also got a terrible start.

“I learnt a lot by following other riders and I am comfortable on the Rizla Suzuki, so today has been good from that perspective. I am now desperate to test before we go to Donington so I can find out more about my bike and what changes we need to make to go faster. I need and want to be challenging at the front to win races.”

Robert Wicks -Team Manager:
“The weather conditions were difficult and we are pleased we are leaving here with some solid points in the bag for both riders. James and Shakey both rode with controlled aggression and have given excellent feedback to their crews which will improve the bikes for the next round.

“This weekend has proved we have a very fast motorcycle that has lots of potential and two riders champing at the bit to win races. We will now do everything we can to unlock that potential.”