Ryuichi Kiyonari charged to a brilliant winning double in the seventh round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship, finishing comfortably ahead of his HM Plant Honda team-mate Michael Rutter, at Knockhill.

The 22 year old Japanese rider forged clear from his pole position in each of the 30 lap races, winning the first by twelve seconds, and then taking the second race by seven seconds.

“It was very hard for me - Michael is riding fast and well, so it was necessary for me to get away and ride hard and well to keep clear of him,” smiled Kiyonari who has now won eight races this season.

Rutter admitted: “I have do something about him - I can't let him keep getting away like this and need to start winning some races.”

The two Honda riders romped clear of the pack, twice in the opener, Kiyonari broke the lap record and then Rutter in his vain pursuit in the second race reduced the record to 49.651seconds, an average speed of 94.15mph.

It left the rest playing catch-up, but Michael Laverty was rising to the challenge, taking his and the Stobart Honda team's first podium of the season with a first race third.

“That result has been coming for a little while now,” reflected the Ulsterman. “I wasn't comfortable at the start, but then settled into a rhythm, having taken a few laps to size up the opposition. The bike is improving all of the time, and there will be more to come.”

Laverty was true to his word, taking fourth place next time out, marginally down on Gregorio Lavilla aboard the Airwaves Ducati who was still suffering the after effects of a hand injury sustained in the opening round.

“I had some more treatment between the races and found then I could go a second a lap faster - these were my first races here, so I have to be realistic and be happy with third place.”

Lavilla is now third in the title stakes, on 216 points, being overtaken by the rampant Kiyonari who at the halfway point in the series trails Rutter 275-232 in the title stakes.

James Buckingham took a winning British Superbike Cup double aboard the Quay Garage Suzuki, finishing ahead of Steve Brogan in the opener, and then Marty Nutt to tighten his grip on the trophy.