Izutsu back on Kwak for Misano

Hitoyasu Izutsu, Chris Walker’s WSB Kawasaki teammate on the factory ZX-7RR, makes his WSB return at this weekend’s Misano round after an eight week lay-off through injury.

The Japanese star was crocked after a crash at the Sugo round fractured his left wrist. But he declared himself fully fit after testing in Japan.

He said: ” ‘I’m looking forward to getting back on the bike and racing again. It’s been a long, hard two months, but everything felt fine and I’ll be pushing just as hard at Misano as I was in the opening three rounds of the series.’

Walker has been the main four-cylinder threat to the V-twins over the last four rounds and, after testing at Misano in the off-season, he’s bullish about his chances.

He said: ” It will be good to race at one of the few circuits I’m familiar with this weekend. The fact that Izutsu is back from injury is also a bonus, although if he thinks I’m going to relinquish my position as the top four-cylinder rider without a fight, then he’s in for a shock. ”