Kiyonari “at home” in BSB
Added on Tuesday, March 30th, 2010 by Carole Nash Editor
Kiyonari “at home” in BSB
Double British Superbike champion Ryuichi Kiyonari has claimed that he feels “at home” as be prepared to make his return to the British domestic competition this weekend at Brands Hatch.
The Japanese rider will make his permanent return to British Superbikes this weekend after agreeing to come back to the HM Plant Honda team for 2010, three years after leaving for World Superbikes.
And after previously making a wildcard appearance at Croft last season, Kiyonari will be going into the championship as one of the favourites this season, with many tipping him to add to his 2007 and 2006 titles on his return.
“I am feeling excited about Brands Hatch as I am really pleased to be back racing in BSB,” he claimed. “I have said it before but I am really happy about coming back to the HM Plant Honda team as I feel like I have come home. We have done lots of testing and the bike feels completely different to the one I rode when I won the championship in 2007. It has different engine characteristics, different suspension and also runs on Pirelli tyres.
“The Brands Hatch Indy circuit can be difficult as it is very close and the laps go fast so I think qualifying is going to be very important there. I really like Brands Hatch as there is always a big crowd and I have missed Paddock Hill Bend! The tests have gone well in Spain and Cadwell Park and the Fireblade is getting better all the time. We still have some improvements to make, but we can do this at Brands Hatch as we have the extra session on Good Friday. I am ready for the comeback!”
