Kagayama to miss Thruxton after crash in Japan.

Rizla Suzuki rider Yukio Kagayama will miss the sixth round of the British Superbike Championship at Thruxton after crashing and breaking his collarbone during qualifying for a 300km race at Suzuka in Japan.

Kagayama, the fans favourite in BSB, was racing at the prestigious Suzuka 300km for the Yoshimura Suzuki squad and was on a fast lap during qualification on Saturday 29th May when he suffered the crash that broke his right collarbone.

Kagayama was eager to be back racing at Thruxton next weekend, June 6th, but specialists examined the break and have advised it will be Brands Hatch on June 20th before he returns to racing. Kagayama has a titanium plate in his right collarbone from an earlier crash. It must be replaced and clear from any infection before he can race again.

"I am very disappointed not to be racing at Thruxton. This is a no-need crash for me," he said. "I am sorry to my fans who will not see me at Thruxton, but I will be racing again at Brands Hatch very soon.

"I have very little luck but this will not stop me from trying my best with all my heart when I come back to race inthe UK. Good luck to John-san for Thruxton, I will be giving him all my power to win while I am recovering."

Rizla Suzuki will be giving Yuki every support and assistance in ensuring the quickest possible recovery for the Japanese ace who is currently third in the BSB Championship table.

The Dorset based team is currently investigating a potential replacement rider for Kagayama at Thruxton, its home BSB round.

Paul Denning, team manager, summed-up: "I am naturally disappointed that Yuki will be missing Thruxton BSB. I was keen for Yuki to race at this 300km race as he was getting stronger and faster with every competitive outing on track. This was a racing accident and it could have happened at any test or race. On a positive note, it is only one round he is missing and he plans to be back for Brands Hatch. Rizla Suzuki will give him its full support to get him back on track and his winning ways as soon as possible.

"Yuki has overcome nearly impossible odds before and his commitment and desire to win are plain for everyone to see. He will be back and as hungry to win as ever before. In the meantime, we are investigating a potential stand-in rider for Yuki at Thruxton and hope to release news shortly."