KIYO BACK IN BSB
Ryuichi Kiyonari is back in BSB with the Samsung Honda team for alongside Alex Lowes.
Kiyo is the most successful rider ever in British Superbikes with the 2006, 2007 and 2010 BSB titles to his name, and all with Honda during, clocking up 43 wins in the process, a series record.
After a year racing back in Japan there was rumors Kiyo may be back in more familiar surroundings, or even in MotoGP with the Gresini team.
But Kiyo has come back to BSB in search of a record breaking fourth title,and with the motivation to stay ahead of Shakey in the battle for record wins, a record Kiyo currently holds by 2 wins.
Speaking at the unavailing Kiyo said “I am very, very happy to be back because I have missed BSB so much. I want to be better than before. I miss the championship: the races, the fans, the team – all of it and that is why I have returned. I know that next season is very important for me and I need to get results and wins because I don’t want it to be like last time (2011).”
Kiyo continued “I want to be challenging again like when I won the title before. I have to give more than one hundred percent and I want a fourth title to show that I can do it again. I want to show what I can still do; I want to win more titles. My aim is for more wins and be champion again. I don’t know if I will be a target, I think the riders will want to beat Shakey. I don’t care about looking at other riders, because I just want to win and that is what I will focus on.”
Kiyo will be joined by young star Alex Lowes. Lowes last year stormed to prominance by challenging in the title show down and was in huge demand in the off season, and even had MotoGP offers.
Again speaking at the unavailing Lowes said “It is obviously a great opportunity for me to join Samsung Honda and I am ready to give it everything. I had a great season on the Honda last year and I think my style suits the Fireblade and I feel comfortable pushing it. The team have a lot of experience and we want to win the championship; they are a strong team and I think we are in a really good position to try and win that back.”
“This is my best chance now that I have had a couple of seasons in BSB, now I just need to come out and be consistent from the start. I want to pick up where I left off last year and then we should be in a position ready for the end of the season and the Showdown. I want to be winning more races next year as I definitely think I am in a position now to be going for the title.”