Lavilla replaces Kagayama for Thruxton

Yukio Kagayama will miss the Thruxton round of the British Superbike championship (Sunday June 6) after breaking his collarbone racing in Japan. He’ll be replaced by Suzuki MotoGP test rider Gregorio Lavilla, but hopes to be fit for the next round at Brands Hatch.

Kagayama was racing for the Yoshimura Suzuki team at a 300km race at Suzuki in Japan when he crashed during qualifying on Saturday May 29. The Japanese rider already has a titanium plate in his shoulder from an earlier crash, and this will need to be replaced and clear from infection before he can retrun to the track.

Lavilla has experience of superbikes, having raced in the World Superbike championship with Corona Suzuki. This year the Spaniard has been working as the factory Suzuki MotoGP test rider.

“I have never heard of Thruxton before, never mind raced at this venue, so I will need to learn the circuit very quickly, ” said Lavilla. “The BSB Rizla Suzuki will have more power than the WSB version I rode last year and I hope I can mix it with the leaders on Sunday.”