Kiyonari To Defend Crown - Haslam And Lavilla Committed
02-11-06

BENNETTS BRITISH SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP

Ryuichi Kiyonari was crowned Bennetts British Superbike Champion in front of packed audience at the International Motorcycle Show and the HM Plant Honda rider confirmed that he will be back to defend his hard earned title in 2007.

And, his main rivals from the past season, Leon Haslam and Gregorio Lavilla, who eased Airwaves Ducati title as they finished just behind the Japanese rider in the standings revealed that they will be back for more next year.

Kiyonari, the first Japanese rider to win this country’s premier crown, reflected on his title winning campaign: “Very good, bike very good. I enjoy. The races were very hard, but I take the title for Honda and yes, I will be coming back to race here next year, when I want to win the title again.”

He will be under intense pressure as the Ducati riders bid to take the glory.

Haslam, who took the runner-up spot had the consolation of winning the Audi Performance Award and with it a £50,000 limited edition Audi sportscar for his overall speed in qualifying. He was also named as MCN ‘Man of the Year’ and voted the ‘Riders rider of the Year’ in the British championship.

“It’s been a fantastic season for me, and while the last round was a bit of frustrating, I enjoyed it all, and was happy with my own performances,” said Haslam. “What a team I’m with – I can’t wait to bring the British Championship title back to Britain.”

Lavilla, the stylish Spanish rider, who had won the title in 2005, had to settle for third best, just behinfd his team-mate. “The team and myself will be fighting to get back to the top of the championship and will be stronger for the future – Yes I will be back to regain the title.”

The presentations took place on the central stage, with a fast moving audio video show hosted by Fred Clarke and Larry Carter, reliving the key moments of a busy, exciting and highly dramatic season – with footage from every round, the story of how the various titles were won was graphically illustrated.

Chris Martin was an emotional winner of the British Superbike Cup, while Honda’s highly talented young rider, Jonathan Rea was named as the recipient of the Steve Hislop Memorial Trophy.

Cal Crutchlow, who graduates into Superbikes with the Rizla Suzuki team, was testing with the team, and also experiencing their MotoGP bike at Valencia, and he send video message reflecting his title winning success in the British Supersport Championship with the Northpoint Ekerold Honda team. And, Pete Spalding took the British Supersport Cup by winning all twelve rounds.

Daniel Cooper received the British 125GP Champions Trophy and Anthony Rogers the ACU Academy Cup, while Tom Grant took the Virgin Mobile Cup and with it a ride for Yamaha in next year’s British Superbike championship. Brendan Roberts received the Metzeler Racetec National Superstock champion’s trophy while Bob Collins took the Superstock Cup.

Looking ahead to next season, at seven rounds of the British Superbike Championship there will be an additional race featuring the KTM 990 Super Dukes series which bring a new dimension and compelling racing to the package as they provide an easy cost effective way into national racing.

The 2007 action starts for real, as Kiyonari, Haslam and Lavilla line up on the Brands Hatch starting grid for the Easter Monday, 9 April opening round of the new campaign.

Superbike

Kiyonari Defends Title Amid Strong Starting Grid
11-12-06
2007 BENNETTS BRITISH SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP

Ryuichi Kiyonari is under no illusions that the defence of his Bennetts British Superbike crown will be anything but tough as the major players in the country’s premier championship have confirmed their grid line-ups.

The Japanese star continues into a fourth season with the factory backed HM Plant Honda team and has already begun testing ahead of the new season in which he will have the upcoming teenage Ulster rider Jonathan Rea as his team-mate. He raced last year for the satellite Red Bull team, impressing with strong performances as he finished fourth overall, to earn his place alongside Kiyonari.

His graduation into the full factory team has prompted a move for Karl Harris. The former triple British Supersport Champion has signed for Hydrex Honda, with his determination to enjoy maiden race winning glory in the top flight heightened.

Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne will also be riding Honda next term, having signed to head up the Stobart Motorsport challenge for honours, a move that has re-united him with team-boss Paul Bird. They had a highly successful partnership during the 2003 season in which Byrne won a dozen races to take the title, also taking a winning double in the World Championship, to pave the way into a couple of years of MotoGP action.

Byrne, sixth overall last year, winning once with Rizla Suzuki, will have 21 year old Tom Sykes as his team-mate – the Huddersfield rider was the runner-up in Supersports and is keen to make the most of his chance aboard the latest specification Honda, beginning testing early in the New Year.

Byrne’s departure from Suzuki, together with that of James Haydon, means the Rizla squad has a blend of youth and experience as they bid to regain the crown last won for them by John Reynolds. Cal Crutchlow, the reigning Supersport Champion, has already impressed in their colours, taking second place on his debut outing in the Mallory Park ‘Race of the Year.’

The Coventry rider will have the experienced Chris Walker, a race winner in the World Championship and four times previously the runner-up in the domestic title chase – he proved his speed and style by winning the Mallory Park race to clinch the deal and now he's hungry for the crown.

Haydon, meanwhile, has signed for Virgin Yamaha – the third time he has ridden for them and the team with who he last tasted race winning glory, at Knockhill. He will have an all-new R1, as will the team’s highly talented Tommy Hill who has ridden in their colours for the past three seasons.

Gregorio Lavilla, the champion of two years ago, and Leon Haslam, who both had powered into last October’s Brands Hatch finale having the title within their grasp, only for Kiyonari to deny them, are both back for more. The Airwaves Ducati duo have already begun their intensive testing programme and are certain to again be at the forefront of the chase for honours.

Michael Rutter is hoping that a switch of team, and bike, will kick-start his title bid – the most experienced rider on the starting grid, he has twice been the runner-up, and as he has an MSS Discovery Kawasaki team largely built around him is determined to maximise the opportunity. And that is also the case for Leon Camier, a former winner of the Supersport title, who moves into Superbike action riding for the Honda team.

The new season begins at Brands Hatch on Easter Monday 9 April, with the full calendar of 13 double race rounds:

9 April Brands Hatch

15 April Thruxton

29 April Silverstone

7 May Oulton Park

20 May Snetterton

17 June Mondello Park

1 July Knockhill

15 July Oulton Park

22 July Mallory Park

12 August Croft

27 August Cadwell Park

23 September Donington Park

14 October Brands Hatch