Former British Superbike Champion Ryuichi Kiyonari will make a surprise return to action this weekend at Croft as he replaces the injured Glen Richards.

Kiyonari, who is currently riding with the Ten Kate Honda team in the World Superbikes Championship, will race with the HM Plant Honda team for a one-off appearance at the North East circuit.

The Japanese rider, who won the championship in 2006 and 2007 with HM Plant Honda, will be particularly keen to impress at Croft, the nearest circuit to the headquarters of team’s principle sponsors, in what has been a difficult season for the main Honda team. To date, visa issues, injury and disciplinary problems have all hampered the team’s progress so far this season.

Kiyonari appearance is scheduled to be a one-off, with Richards expected to return to action at Silverstone for the season’s penultimate round but the 26-year-old is determined to enjoy the reunion.

“I’m really excited to be riding for the HM Plant Honda team again,” claimed Kiyonari. “I’m also very happy to race in BSB and especially at Croft. I love this circuit and won both races when I last raced there in 2007