Ryuichi Kiyonari reckons he can hit double top as he begins his bid for the Bennetts British Superbike crown this coming Sunday at Brands Hatch.

The 23 year old, who is aiming to be the first Japanese to win the country's premier crown, ran consistently quickly as he completed his pre-season test programme in the bitter cold of Snetterton.

“I am very happy with my work here - we have not made an changes to the bike, and I have put in many laps,” said the HM Plant Honda Fireblade rider who won both races in the corresponding round last year.

“It has been very cold, but if the weather is the same at Brands Hatch, then for me, this weekend will for me have all been worth it.”

Kiyonari's best lap of the 1.9520 mile Norfolk circuit came in a best time of 1m 05.928s, an average speed of 106.58mph, but it was only 0.038s faster than that recorded by his team-mate Karl Harris, the former triple British Supersport Champion, who was fortunate to escape injury in a high speed crash at Russells.

James Haydon, with a late charge, moved his Rizla Suzuki into third place on the two-day leaderboard - his best lap came in a time of 1m 06.174s, edging out Jonathan Rea, the Red Bull Honda rider, who, like Ipone Kawasaki's Sean Emmett, took a tumble at the Esses. Both escaped injury.

Shane Byrne, the former champion, who is returning to domestic action after two years in World MotoGP, overcame the frustrations of machine problems on Saturday, with a series of fast lap during Sunday, the best of which came in 1m 06.934s.

Tommy Hill was the fastest of the three Virgin Mobile Yamaha riders, lapping in 1m 07.005s while Dean Thomas repaid the hard work of the Hawk Kawasaki team, who earlier in the week had raced against time to build his all new bike - the Australian had a best lap of 1m 07.233s.

Officials at Snetterton paid tribute to the 4000 spectators who brave the conditions for a taste of the Superbike action, at the same time being able to meet their heroes in the paddock and pit-lane walk.