Kiyo suprise in Malaysia

Reigning British superbike champion Ryuichi Kiyonari was a surprise addition to the Sepang line-up.

The Japanese rider was testing two Honda FireBlade machines for a ‘multitude’ of purposes according to HRC staff.

They also said the HM Plant star was testing for the forthcoming defence of his BSB crown, while also working on parts for the Japanese superbike championship and the prestigious Suzuka Eight-hour endurance race.

Kiyonari is no stranger to the MotoGP arena as he took over the Gresini Honda ride in 2003 after Daijiro Kato’s fatal crash at the Japanese GP at Suzuka.