Ryuichi Kiyonari has withdrawn from the final round of the World Superbike Championship at Portimao. Kiyonari was 11th in the standings with 141 points before his pull out.

The Ten Kate Honda rider broke his right collarbone for the second time this year, the last time being at in Magny-Cours, and after taking part in free practice and Q1 on Friday and decided to pull out due to the pain, discomfort and for safety reasons.

“You can imagine that I am very disappointed to miss out on this final race of the season. I am especially sorry for my team, who have worked so hard this season. I would also like to apologise to Honda and the sponsors of the team. I wanted to race but, after I spoke with doctors and the team, we decided that it was not possible. It’s a shame to end the season this way but now I want to get my shoulder fixed so that I am fit again for next year.”

Kiyonari, despite taking two 3rd place podiums this year at Monza has not been re-confirmed by Ten Kate Honda, who slimmed down their rider line-up from three to two and prefering to keeo Jonathan Rea and sign up Max Neukirchner for their 2010 season. Kiyonari may return to the British Superbike Championship or back to racing in his home country, even if rumors have him in Stiggy Racing, if Stigfelt can find some financial backing.

Source | tenkateracing

Continue reading: WSBK Portimao - Kiyonari withdraws from final round

With Ben Spies taking his 7th Superpole at Millersports Park at Tooele, Utah here’s what a few riders had to say about yesterday’s Superpole session:

Ben Spies – 1st

“It was a good session for us, the last few minutes there were some drops coming down and we were pretty nervous, but we’d worked well since this morning and I stuck to the plan in Superpole. I think we have a good race pace, there are a few guys that have good pace as well so the race should be interesting. Twelve months ago I didn’t think I’d be here on pole at Miller in Superbike but it’s great. I’m having a blast!”

Carlos Checa – 2nd

“It’s been a difficult first half of the season but we have been steadily improving and the team is now working really well together, so I am very happy to start from the front row here. I don’t know what it is about this place that makes me feel so comfortable on the bike but there is certainly more grip on the side of the tyre and the bike has been steadily improving for the last few rounds. It certainly won’t be easy in the races tomorrow - Ben (Spies) and three or four other riders are very fast, so we’ll have to see what happens in the races. But, for sure, it feels very good to be at the front again and I hope to turn it into good results in the races tomorrow.”

Ryuichi Kiyonari – 3rd

“That was much better than Kyalami qualifying and the feeling with my Honda is much better than the recent races. As for my race pace for tomorrow I think it is a little bit not fast enough but if I can do a good start maybe I can follow the group and hope to get a podium.”

Continue reading: WSBK Round 7 Miller - Rider Quotes after Superpole

After the break, tests and New Year a new World Superbike Championship will start and it will definitely be an exciting Superbike year. With two new manufacturers and many rider changes, 2009 in WSB will not be easily forgotten.

This is what we are expecting of the line up for WSB 2009:

Ducati Xerox: Noriyuki Haga and Michel Fabrizio
Yamaha Italia: Ben Spies and Tom Sykes
Ten Kate Honda: Carlos Checa and Ryuichi Kiyonari and Jonathan Rea
Alstare Suzuki: Max Neukirchner and Yukio Kagayama
Paul Bird Kawasaki: Makoto Tamada and Broc Parkes
BMW: Troy Corser and Ruben Xaus
Aprilia: Max Biaggi and Shinya Nakano
Team Sterilgarda Ducati: Shane Byrne and Alessandro Polita
Stiggy Motorsport Honda: Leon Haslam and Roberto Rolfo
Althea Honda: Tommy Hill
Pro Ride Racing Honda: Gregorio Lavilla
Celani Suzuki: Karl Muggeridge
GMT Yamaha: David Checa
YZF Yamaha: Katsuyuki Nakasuga

Continue reading: WSB 2009 teams and riders line up

World Superbike rider Ryuichi Kiyonari is still recovering from his collarbone injury but seems to be ready for the next round in Portugal.

Kiyonari broke his right collarbone in a crash at the French Magny-Cours during a test session, forcing him to miss the race. He returned home to Japan for his operation and is currently recovering. The 26 year-old Japanese rider won three races in his first World Superbike year and is expected to start at Portimao. Ryuichi was born in Saitama, Japan on the 23rd September 1982, and has been riding with the Hannspree Ten Kate Honda Team with a Honda CBR 1000RR, currently on 193 points and at 9th position in the general standings.

The new Portimao circuit is almost ready for World Superbike. It was built in only eight months and is located in the Algarve region of southern Portugal.

source | crash.net

Continue reading: WSB: Kiyonari recovering for the Portugal round

The Japanese company has triumphed in the classic World Endurance Championship, with the team of Carlos Checa and Ryuichi Kiyonari, Superbike teammates from Ten Kate’s team, winning the eight hours at Suzuka. They beat Suzuki riders Daisaku Sakai and Atsushi Watanabe to win.

The riders from the Team Dream Honda 11 gave the public a great performance, in a race not without its drama. Itoh was out after engine problems, and the track underwent a storm after only an hour, which mixed things up. Yukio Kagayama took advantage, racing past the head of the race, only to come off in a classic fall.

Continue reading: Suzuka eight hour endurance race: Honda wins with Checa and Kiyonari