Shane 'Shakey' Byrne and Ryuichi Kiyonari renewed their on track fight to the front of the pack this afternoon at the official MCE British Superbike Championship test at Donington Park, with the reigning champion claiming the advantage as his Japanese rival crashed unhurt in the closing minutes. The title-winners though came under fire from an exuberant Danny Buchan who split the pair at the chequered flag.

The test started in damp conditions with several of the riders waiting until the afternoon to take to the track with Josh Brookes taking the initial position at the top before the times began to tumble as the track conditions improved.

Kiyonari soon carved his way to the top but Byrne was closing in as he made his track return following his testing crash in Spain. The Buildbase BMW were improving with every lap, but in the closing ten minutes the Japanese ace crashed out at Redgate, he was left bruised but ready to make amends next weekend for the opening races of the season.

Byrne seized the opportunity and moved ahead by just 0.22s, but a hard-charging Danny Buchan waited until the closing minutes to split the champions on the Be Wiser Kawasaki. The trio led a promising performance from the Lloyds British Ducati team as they fired the Italian manufacturer into the four in the hands of Jakub Smrz whilst Honda Racing's Dan Linfoot completed the top five.

JG Speedfit Kawasaki's James Ellison held sixth as he edged ahead of Stuart Easton and Richard Cooper, whilst Josh Brookes was the leading Milwaukee Yamaha in ninth with Tyco BMW completing the top ten with Tommy Bridewell.

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, official test, Donington Park:

Shane Byrne (PBM Kawasaki) 1m:31.145
Danny Buchan (Be Wiser Kawasaki) +0.222s
Ryuichi Kiyonari (Buildbase BMW) +0230s
Jakub Smrz (Lloyds British Ducati) +0.243s
Dan Linfoot (Honda Racing) +0.284s
James Ellison (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +0.303s
Stuart Easton (PBM Kawasaki) +0.318s
Richard Cooper (Anvil Hire TAG Kawasaki) +0.380s
Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) +0.680s
Tommy Bridewell (Tyco BMW) +0.890s