Ryuichi Kiyonari took the victory in the opening race at Mallory Park, but defending Bennetts British Superbike Champion and series leader Gregorio Lavilla took the honours next time out at the Leicestershire circuit.

The 23 year old Japanese rider was ahead of the pack from the start of the first 28 lapper in which Glen Richards tumbled on the straight and then three riders Steve Plater, Tommy Hill and Ollie Bridewell went down at the new chicane, bringing the Audi Safety Car out for a couple of laps.

Jonathan Rea was tucked in behind Kiyonari with local favourite Michael Rutter running third on the Stobart Honda, just ahead of Rizla Suzuki's former champion Shane Byrne and Leon Haslam who was soon on the charge.

He had moved his Airwaves Ducati through into third place at quarter distance, but ahead of him, Kiyonari was dictating terms on the HM Plant Honda, with Rea riding hard on the Red Bull Honda to stay with him.

But, disaster struck for the young Ulsterman with six laps remaining as he tipped off powering out of the `bus-stop' leaving Haslam in a vain pursuit of Kiyonari who was enjoying his first success since the opening round at Brands Hatch back in March.

Lavilla came in third, and far from please. “I am not happy. I was not able to fight for the victory. I was struggling with traction and had to try and ride through the problem.”

The Airwaves team worked on the problem between races, making minor changes, ad the Spaniard rewarded their efforts with a determined, stylish winning ride, but first he had to reel in Kiyonari who had set the pace from the start. Lavilla was running close and it was no surprise when he eased through, with a smooth move, at the chicane to take over at the front.

“I rode well and had a good rhythm - my bike was perfect. I must thank my mechanics for the changes they made. The biggest problem I had was keeping Leon behind me.

“This is my worst track, but I have enjoyed a pole start, and then taken a third and a victory so I am now very happy,” smiled Lavilla as he enjoyed the seventh victory of the season, which puts him 223-161 ahead of Haslam, with Kiyonari, third in that race, on 149 points.

Adrift of the leading trio, former champion Shane Byrne took fourth and fifth placings aboard the Rizla Suzuki, with Rutter, who had been hoping for a change of fortune at his local circuit having to settle for a pair of sixth placings.

Chris Martin, with a win and a second place aboard the PR Branson Honda, moved ahead in the chase for the British Superbike Cup title as the defending champion James Buckingham found himself sidelined in the opening race by a holed radiator. The Devonian hit back strong, winning next time out aboard the Quay Garage Suzuki, but he is 182-166 down on the York rider. Marty Nutt, riding Suzuki here, took a pair of thirds to stay in contention.

ends