The War for Four MCE British Superbike Championship titles got back underway at Brands Hatch with an epic opening race on the Grand Prix circuit this afternoon. Ryuichi Kiyonari and Shane 'Shakey' Byrne were immersed in a monumental battle for supremacy until the chequered flag where they were separated by just 0.103s.

Byrne fired off the pole position to hit the front of the pack as they streamed into Paddock Hill Bend on the opening lap ahead of the Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasakis of James Ellison and Chris Walker.

Ellison was instantly on the attack and went for a move ad Druids, but went wide on the exit of the corner. Byrne cut the line back with Walker then taking the advantage to move ahead of his team-mate at Surtees.

Byrne led Walker and Ellison until the fifth lap when the Nissan GT-R Safety Car was deployed after Barry Burrell crashed his Team WD-40 Kawasaki at Druids. On the restart Byrne held the position but the Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasakis swapped positions with Ellison moving ahead, however Buildbase BMW's Kiyonari was within striking distance.

Kiyonari hunted down the team-mates to pass them Walker at Paddock Hill Bend and the four were inseparable at the front. Ellison then had his moment at the front of the pack as they crossed the line for the thirteenth time, but Byrne had the edge into Paddock Hill Bend. Kiyonari then wasn't waiting any longer and he moved second at Druids.

At the front the scrap was then between Byrne and Kiyonari with the triple-champions swapping positions with a thrilling climax to the opening race of the day. Kiyonari was stronger on the run into Paddock Hill Bend and on three consecutive laps he made a move, but on the Grand Prix circuit Byrne moved back ahead.

Kiyonari led the penultimate lap but Byrne made a move at Hawthorns, but then Kiyonari charged back to the front and he was the rider in front on the final lap. Byrne was pushing for the first win, making several attempts to pass his Buildbase BMW rival, but the Japanese contender had the edge to cross the line 0.103s ahead with Ellison just 0.687s adrift in third.

Walker held on to fourth from Dan Linfoot and Josh Brookes on the leading Milwaukee Yamaha. Jakub Smrz, Richard Cooper and John Hopkins, who started his Tyco Suzuki from the back row after a problem on the grid, was tenth.

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch GP, race one result:

Ryuichi Kiyonari (Buildbase BMW
Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +0.103s
James Ellison (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) +0.687s
Chris Walker (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) +3.290s
Dan Linfoot (Quattro Plant Kawasaki) +4.378s
Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) +5.160s
Jakub Smrz (Millsport Ducati) +6.130s
Richard Cooper (Anvil Hire TAG Kawasaki) +8.956s
John Hopkins (Tyco Suzuki) +12.055
Stuart Easton (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +12.259s

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship standings after Brands Hatch GP, race one:

Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 210
James Ellison (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) 124
Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) 121
Ryuichi Kiyonari (Buildbase BMW) 107
Chris Walker (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) 89
Tommy Bridewell (Milwaukee Yamaha) 88



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