Three-time BSB champion Kiyonari returns for Oulton Park

Three-time British Superbike champion Ryuichi Kiyonari will stand-in for the injured Dan Linfoot at the Oulton Park round this weekend for Honda Racing to mark an eye-catching return.

The Japanese rider is statistically the most successful rider at the Cheshire tracks with 12 race wins and has legendary status in BSB as a three-time champion.

Kiyonari left the series at the end of 2016 to return to the Japanese championship with Moriwaki Honda but with Linfoot sidelined by injury sustained at Brands Hatch Indy Kiyonari has received a late call-up to race alongside regular Honda Racing rider Jason O’Halloran.

“I am sorry to hear about Dan, and first of all I wish him a speedy recovery,” Kiyonari said. “I am happy to fill for him at Oulton Park with the team I have been racing with for a long time. BSB is a like a home to me and I am thrilled to be back racing again.

“I have been on the Honda Fireblade CBR1000RR since last season and with the team we know each other well. I will do my best to finish high up in the races.”

Honda Racing boss Havier Beltran is thrilled to welcome the three-time champion back and is confident the Japanese rider will be instantly up to speed given his current links to Honda and his history at the circuit.

“It’s great to have Kiyo back with us for Oulton Park and I can’t think of anyone better suited to fill in for Dan,” Beltran said. “Kiyo has a lot of history with Honda and this team, and it’s good that he knows most of the guys so it won’t take him long to get settled back in.

“He’s a very talented rider and Honda has always had an extremely high regard of his skills as a racer, and his long-term experience with the Fireblade will surely help the team.”