RYUICHI KIYONARI thrilled a record British Superbikes crowd at Brands Hatch with a faultless display of riding on Easter Monday.

Having finished the 2004 campaign at Donington Park with a double victory, Kiyonari started the 2005 season in the same fashion in front of 50,000 fans who packed into Brands for the opening weekend of the championship.

The Japanese rider put in more laps than anyone else during qualifying and his dedication paid off around the 1.2-mile Indy Circuit.

His impressive performances gave him an early lead in the championship and a maximum 50 points.

He said: "I am obviously very happy with how things went. I felt I had to get off the line quickly because I was worried about how fast the other riders are here."