Ryuichi Kiyonari underlined his ambition to sign off from a first year of action in the THINK! British Superbike Championship by powering to top spot on the free practice leaderboard for the final round at Donington Park.

The 21 year old Japanese rider had taken a tumble during the first session but bounced back with a dominant performance on the rain-soaked Leicestershire grand prix circuit, running almost a full second ahead of his title chasing HM Plant Honda team-mate Michael Rutter.

“I needed to work hard, and now in the races, I have my last chance to reach the top spot on the podium this season, so, as always, I will be giving 100 per cent,” smiled Kiyonari after his 1m 44.591s lap of the 2.5 mile Leicestershire circuit.

Even more determined to take the victories is Rutter. He starts with a 43 points deficit on John Reynolds in the title stakes, and though he was well on the pace in the difficult wet track conditions, he took an excursion in to the gravel.

Rutter shrugged that aside. “One of those things that can happen - my attitude is to get out there and win the races. That is what I am focussed on. OK, it will take a minor miracle to beat John, and as I said to him at Oulton Park last Sunday, he will have to make a big mistake to lose the title.”

The Honda rider has won six times so far, Reynolds, aboard the Rizla Suzuki seven, though he was far from comfortable at his local circuit. “It was horrible out there - I had no feel from the front end. In places there was grip, in others none.”

Reynolds needs to score just eight points to clinch the title for the third time. “I want to win it by winning the races - that is the proper way.”

Behind the Reynolds - Rutter duel for the crown, Yukio Kagayama and Scott Smart are disputing third place. The Japanese rider holds the advantage, with Smart, riding the Hawk Kawasaki determined to hit back after a disappointing time in the previous round at Oulton Park.

Smart, with a lap of 1m 47.453s, was marginally the faster of the two.

Ends