Japanese factory rider joins BSB

Yukio Kagayama will join John Reynolds in the 2003 Crescent Suzuki squad. The 28-year-old will make history as the first Japanese rider, and first full factory rider, to compete in the British Superbike Championship.

Kagayama has ridden as a full-time factory Suzuki rider since 1993, and competed in MotoGP in July at the Sachsenring. Although he crashed out in the race, he actually qualified in 11th, outqualifying regular MotoGP rider Sete Gibernau.

Such involvement from the Suzuki factory indicates the rising profile of the British series, and Kagayama will be a big threat for the championship.

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