Worx Crescent Suzuki came away from the British Superbike fifth round at Mallory Park with just eight points in the bag after misfortune beset both Championship leader Tommy Hill and team mate Yukio Kagayama.

The day started well with both riders setting good times in warm-up and Kagayama was particularly pleased with his revised bike set-up that took him to the fifth-fastest time.

But problems came thick and fast in the opening race: Hill was immediately in trouble as his bike gave all the indications of clutch slip, while Kagayama struggled to push through the pack from his fourth-row start position. However, the race was red flagged after three laps following an incident and this allowed the team to replace the clutch in Hill's bike before the restart. Unfortunately the problem wasn't cured and Hill was forced to retire. Kagayama then crashed out on lap two at Charlies chicane and was bruised and quite shaken up so the decision was taken that he stand down from race two.

Hill, as a consequence of his race one woes, had to start race two from the fourth row and had a huge fight on to regain places; finally finishing in eighth.

Tommy Hill:

"Today's been quite a disappointment after having enjoyed very productive tests here and going so well through practice and qualifying. After dropping out of race one with technical issues I was looking forward to getting my head down and chasing a top-six result in race two. But I got shut down in the first turn and after that it was a long race trying to make up places.

"Obviously I'm not happy with my results, but racing always has its ups and downs. So we're off to Knockhill next weekend and I'll be looking for a return to podium finishes and podium points - and looking to rebuild my championship lead."

Yukio Kagayama:

"Not a good weekend for me. I was happy after warm-up - good lap times. Then in the race I lost grip leaving the corner - it all happens very fast - and I crashed. I am okay but the crash was quite hard and so I was not able to ride the second race. So again I need to rest injuries to be ready for the next round."

Jack Valentine - Team Manager:

"Not a good day for us. We had every reason to feel optimistic at the start of the day and were pleased to see Yuki back on the pace in warm-up.

"Tommy's problem in the first race turned out to be a rear wheel speed sensor issue which confused the ECU. Tommy then had to ride in damage limitation mode in the second race to bring home the points to maintain his championship lead.

"Yuki suffered more bad luck, and after two crashes, the second quite a hard one, we felt it was prudent he stood down from the second race and rested his body so that he'll be able to come out fighting fit again for Knockhill.

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship:

Race one result:

1. Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) 2. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) +1.820s 3. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +3.573s 4. Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) +3.753s 5. Stuart Easton (Swan Honda) +13.883s 6. Chris Walker (CW Racing Suzuki) +14.155s 7. Simon Andrews (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +16.175s 8. John Laverty (Buildbase Kawasaki) +16.343s 9. Andrew Pitt (Motorpoint Yamaha) +19.469s 10. Alastair Seeley (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +19.913s

Race two result:

1. Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) 2. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) +3.601s 3. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +9.726s 4. Michael Rutter (Ducati) +10.819s 5. Chris Walker (CW Racing Suzuki) +19.126s 6. John Laverty (Buildbase Kawasaki) +21.249s 7. Simon Andrews (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +22.812s 8. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +23.085s 9. Tommy Bridewell (Quay Garage Honda) +23.326s 10. Andrew Pitt (Motorpoint Yamaha) +23.950s

Championship standings (after five rounds):

1. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) 154 2. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) 150 3. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) 133 4. Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) 128 5. Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) 114 16. Yukio Kagayama (Worx Crescent Suzuki) 25