Ryuichi Kiyonari scored two third place finishes in today’s fifth round World Superbike championship event at Monza in Italy, the scene of his first WSBK podium a year ago.
The two races were won by Michel Fabrizio and Ben Spies during an eventful schedule that was delayed by a first turn crash in race one, when several riders were injured and oil spilled on the circuit.
Starting from third place on the grid, Kiyonari dropped back to 17th place at the restart but fought his was back into contention. Entering the last lap in fifth place Kiyonari benefited from Spies running out of fuel and Max Biaggi’s 20s penalty for cutting a chicane.
Kiyonari had already returned to his pit-box before being ushered back for the podium ceremony.
In the second 18-lapper around the historic 5.8km Monza circuit, Kiyonari got a better start and was battling in the leading group throughout the race before securing his second podium of the day.
Ryuichi Kiyonari – 3rd and 3rd
I am so happy to get these results for myself and for the team. We have worked very hard to find a good setting with the CBR1000RR this season but we have not always had good luck. My start was very bad in race one but I was able to fight back lap-by-lap during the race, although I was very surprised and happy when they told me I was third. In the second race I had a better start and I must say I am a little disappointed. I had the speed to catch Fabrizio but not quite enough to get past him. But this is my best result for a long time and I hope it indicates the start of a better part of the season for me and the team.
Ronald ten Kate – team manager
I am more than satisfied with Kiyo-san’s two podium finishes today, although I must honestly say that, especially in race one, there might have been the chance of a win if not for his bad start. Dropping from third on the grid to seventeenth on the first lap is quite exceptional, but what is more exceptional is fighting back again to third place! It’s good to get confirmation of our set-up and electronics changes and hopefully we can be even more competitive in Kyalami next weekend.
2009 World Superbike championship, round five – Monza, Italy
5.793km, 18 laps – results, race one:
1 Michel Fabrizio (ITA) Ducati 31’50.758s
2 Noriyuki Haga (JPN) Ducati +0.239s
3 Ryuichi Kiyonari (JPN) Ten Kate Honda Racing +8.175s
4 Yukio Kagayama (JPN) Suzuki +11.001s
5 Jonathan Rea (GBR) Hannspree Ten Kate Honda +12.447s
9 Carlos Checa (ESP) Hannspree Ten Kate Honda +26.930s
Race two:
1 Ben Spies (USA) Yamaha 31’41.252s
2 Michel Fabrizio (ITA) Ducati +2.665s
3 Ryuichi Kiyonari (JPN) Ten Kate Honda Racing +2.810s
4 Jonathan Rea (GBR) Hannspree Ten Kate Honda +7.706s
5 Max Biaggi (ITA) Aprilia +7.863s
10 Carlos Checa (ESP) Hannspree Ten Kate Honda +22.261s
Championship points after five of 14 rounds:
Haga 200, Spies 146, Fabrizio 125, Leon Haslam (GBR) Honda 103, Tom Sykes (GBR) Yamaha 90, Biaggi 81, Rea 77, Kiyonari 65, Checa 53
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