Buildbase BMW’s Ryuichi Kiyonari failed to make it onto the MCE British Superbike podium during the race weekend at the Brands Hatch Indy circuit, and even though he was at the sharp end in the early part of the races he fell off the pace and lost out on third to Milwaukee Yamaha’s Josh Brookes.

The tripe-champ felt he couldn’t push anymore and when he tried he was close to crashing, which he found “strange”. But he did get some extra mileage out of the bike and is still trying to catch up after missing some of the pre-season testing programmes due to visa issues. King Kiyo still has the fight and belief that he can win the championship once again and is edging ever closer to a provisional Showdown spot, where he’s currently residing seventh in the standings.

“Race one and race two I was so close to finishing on the podium - but I was so close to crashing in both races too, which was strange. After ten laps I felt I couldn’t push anymore and the rear tyre kept going down and down,” said Kiyonari, speaking to bikesportnews.com.

“At Donington I finished the race, but I wasn’t racing. Here I tried a long run and I need more mileage on the new bike that’s why I stayed out for a long time, but the race is different. In race one and race two I learnt many things. I have to improve myself and improve my riding. I understand the bike a bit more and for sure Oulton Park will be different again. The machine has big potential and I want to keep working on that and getting that extra pace.”