Kiyonari on top at wet Mondello.

Championship leader, Ryuichi Kiyonari headed the time sheets on his HM Plant Honda during first free practice for the sixth round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Mondello Park in Ireland.

The bad weather conditions didn't deter the Japanese rider, who has just returned from winning the Suzuka 300Km race with his team-mate Jonathan Rea who finished the soaking session in third place.

Splitting the factory backed pair was former HM Plant rider Karl Harris aboard his Hydrex Honda. Harris has been running in the top ten so far this season but is aiming for more than that and it looks like the wet weather could play into his hands.

Shane Byrne was the first of the Stobart Hondas over the line in fourth place and he was followed by the Rizla Suzuki team of Cal Crutchlow and Chris Walker in fifth and sixth respectively. Walker has never raced at Mondello so he will be using free practice to get to grips with the twisty track.

Both Leon Camier on the Bike Animal Honda and Tommy Hill on the Virgin Media Optoma Loans Yamaha had offs during the session. Camier fell at turn three with only 7mins of the session left to run leaving him in seventh place. Meanwhile, Hill crashed at Dunlop corner bringing out the red flags as his bike landed on the circuit spilling oil. The red flags came out to allow the spillage to be cleared away, Hill walked away from the crash and was left in eighth place.

The Airwaves Ducati team of Leon Haslam and Gregorio Lavilla rounded out the top ten with Haslam ninth and Lavilla tenth.

Stuart Easton who is replacing his injured team-mate Michael Rutter was 17th. Hudson Kennaugh, new team-mate to Tommy Hill was in 21st.

BSB free practice (1) results - Mondello Park:

1. Ryuichi Kiyonari
2. Karl Harris
3. Jonathan Rea
4. Shane Byrne
5. Cal Crutchlow
6. Chris Walker
7. Leon Camier
8. Tommy Hill
9. Leon Haslam
10. Gregorio Lavilla