Kagayama gets MotoGP ride

BSB star Yukio Kagayama will race for the factory Suzuki MotoGP team at the Assen GP on June 28.

The Japanese rider confirmed his world-class talents with two fifth-position rides on the Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 at last weekend’s World Superbike meeting at Silverstone, and this weekend he’ll be at Brands for his regular British Superbike ride. Kagayama’s call-up to the GP squad makes him the first ever riders to race in WSB, BSB and MotoGP on successive weekends.

Kagayama will replace Kenny Roberts Jr on the works GSV-R. Roberts flew home to America last Friday, still suffering from chest injuries after a crash at the MotoGP round in Mugello two weeks ago. Roberts collided with Suzuki team-mate John Hopkins, and doctors suspect he has a stress fracture of the sternum.

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