Monza - 1st Podium Finish For Kiyo
Kiyonari Takes First World Superbike Podium
Ryuichi Kiyonari (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) secured his first ever WSB podium finish, taking third in race two.
Kiyonari, now ninth on 65 points, said:
“I was too slow at the start of race one so in race two I concentrated on getting a good start and pushed hard, right from the beginning. I was able to catch Neukirchner and Haga, although they were riding really well. At one stage I thought I could win, but I knew I had to brake late into the Parabolica and I nearly lost the front, which made me run wide on the entry. But I’m really happy with my first podium.”
Congratulations to Kiyo on what must of been an amazing race (Still to watch it myself as I was at Brands Hatch for the British Superbike Racing... Gutted, so much great racing in one weekend I couldn't see it all!
Assen - Race 2 Fastest Lap Time!
Ryuichi Kiyonari (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR100RR) earned a seventh place finish in race one, after qualifying 13th in Superpole, riding on his own for the last part of the race, eventually finishing three seconds down on Jakub Smrz and three seconds up on Makoto Tamada.
Kiyonari failed to finish race two with a technical problem and left Assen with 39 points in total, putting him 12th overall.
Kiyo: "The clamp of my steering damper broke and I was unable to continue in the second race. I don't know why it happened, but its just very unfortunate having to end the race prematurely. With my riding style I'm still using the front tyre too much and wear it out quickly; it makes it difficult for me to keep my lap times low. I changed the front tyre for the second race, it felt better and I tried to push harder and even set one of the quickest lap times, but then had to retire early. I'm happy about the fast lap times I managed to set in race two, it gives me confidence on this new track for me."
Kiyo - 22, 19, 9, 6, DNF, 4...
What's with the numbers you ask? No, not National Lottery numbers for next weeks draw, but the ongoing progress of Kiyo on this years World Superbike Championship!
Current standings show Kiyo in 12th place in the championship on 30 points, just 2 points behind Lavilla.
Next race is at Assen on the 27th April. Will trends continue and will we see another best finish to this season for far at this circuit? If I remember rightly, he has some experience on this track and was there late '07 for testing??? Let's hope he remembers the cicuit well enough to get a couple of podium finishes! :)
PS; Sorry to everyone who keeps visiting this site - It has been a work in progress for sometime due to work commitments and just life in general! However, in the next few weeks, I shall keep adding to this site as much as possible and get it well and truly up to date! Remember to sign up to the Ryuichi Kiyonari Newsletter at the bottom of this page! Kiyonari Photo gallery, video & desktop wallpaper section all coming soon!
Kiyo's '07 HM Plant Honda Mechanic (Steve) Q&A
John: What was your BSB highlight(s) of the year?
Steve: The highlite of the year has to be when Kiyo wrapped up the championship after race one at Brands Hatch
John: Toughest race of the year?
Steve: The toughest race of the year for us was Mondello. All the practice sessions were wet and Kiyo was quickest in all except the Q practice. Race day was dry and we just didnt have the dry set up right. Two fith places where we had been so strong was hard to take.
John: Since first starting work with HM Plant Honda, what is you most memoriable moment to date?
Steve: My most memorable moment since joining the HM Plant team has to be winning the championship at Brands in 2006.
John: With Kiyo taking the championship twice in a row - first person to do so since 1998 (I think) and Johnny Rea claiming 2nd in the championship, how do you think 2008 will compare with 2 new riders?
Steve: Its going to be hard having two new riders next year, I think Haslam can be a contender for the championship, but Cal is also a dark horse, we will just have to wait and see.
John: Main competition for next year?
Steve: I guess the main competition next year will be from The ducati's as they have an extra 200cc on us. With the supersport engine rules, any of the main teams stand a good chance of winning.
John: Any improvements to the bike you can tell us of for the 2008 season?
Steve: 2008 we have a completely new bike, Everything is new, engine, chassis, and the regs. It will be hard work getting the most out of it.
Kiyo 'Spill the beans' Questions...
John: An interview with MCN on 17th Oct, Kiyo explains that among other things, he has become very familar with fish & chips and drinking with his mechanics in Louth! A) Was this your doing! & B) Does these mean you guys have converted him over the past few years in to a typical Englishmen?!?
Steve: Kiyo has been a great guy away from the track, he really lets his hair down on a free weekend. You would never think he was a sportsman the way he carrys on. I think we will all miss his sense of humour this winter. He will never be a typical Englishman, He's not even a typical Japanese!!
John: Can you recall any funny moments with Kiyo?
Steve: Just about any Saturday night he was out! he was a very funny guy.
John: There was a... couple of examples this year where Kiyo overcooked it slightly and increased his DNF stats - 1 that sticks in my mind for example was race 1 at Mallory Park, but then going on to race 2 to win it. What's the stress levels like in the pitts at such times like this!? And how is Kiyo after times like his? Stressed? Calm? In the dog house?! etc, etc... :)
Steve: When Kiyo crashes he is always very appologetic, after the race one crash at Mallory we just got on with our job and make sure that the bike is ready for the next one. Everyone is calm, thats what makes a good team. Kiyo calms down by cleaning his gear,boots leathers, helmet etc. We all understand riders do crash when they are pushing hard, its when they crash on an out lap or in lap that is hard.
John: What are your personal thoughts on Kiyo joining Hanspree Ten Kate Honda for the WSB 2008 season?
Steve: Our loss is WSB's gain. He has the talent to be champion in WSB, he just has to try harder in testing than he did in BSB. Every lap counts in a world series, he can go all the way.
John: Lastly, but not least - Did anyone in the pitts learn any more Japanese other than "Konichiwa!" :)
Steve: Everyone in the team speaks more than a few words of Japanese, as usual all the bad words first! Ive been to Japan at least fifty times so its hard not to pick some of the language up. Some Japanese words are spoken on an everyday bassis by all the guys in the team!!
A big thanks to Steve for taking the time out to answer these questions and a very big thank you to Gemma for sorting this for me!
