British Superbikes: No time for Ryuichi Kiyonari to celebrate if he wins title

Ryuichi Kiyonari won’t have any time to celebrate at Brands Hatch this Sunday, assuming he clinches the British Superbikes title for a second year running.

He’s 37 points clear of closest rival and HM Plant Honda team-mate Jonathan Rea and it would take a major disaster to rob him of the title.

Kiyonari will catch a plane on the Monday morning following the race, bound for Japan. He’s been summonsed home by HRC to ride in the final All Japan Superbike championship at Suzuki.

“Whatever happens in the British Superbikes races I can only have maybe one or two beer on Sunday night after Brands race,” said Kiyonari.

HRC haven’t been on the podium all year in Japanese Superbikes Championship, even though they have carried out some extensive development work this summer on the motorcycle.

Insiders say that Ryuichi Kiyonari has been asked to ride in the final round for his input into the motorcycle and tyres, as well as to try and give the team an end of season boost and a podium to celebrate.