JOHN Reynolds extended his lead in the British Superbike Championships after Sunday's races at Donnington Park, writes John Gilbride.

The Scotsman powered his Ducati to victory in the third round and then took second place behind Chris Walker's Suzuki in the next race.

It was Walker's first win of the season. Fellow Scot Steve Hislop had taken pole position on his Yamaha for the third round and he dominated the early part of the event.

However, Reynolds was able to sweep through and claim victory to consolidate his position as series leader.

Meanwhile in the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka, Norifumi Abe delighted his home crowd when he and his Yamaha got the better of Kenny Roberts and current World Champion Alex Criville to win a thrilling 500cc race.

Along with Italian Max Biaggi and Taday Okada, the three riders battled it out and changed places for the lead in almost every one of the 21 laps of the Suzuka circuit.

Abe finally took the lead with four laps to go and held on to win his first GP of the season.

Roberts was third and Okada third. Britain's Jeremy McWilliams finished in a very creditable eighth place.