Ryuichi Kiyonari retains the British Superbike title

Kiyo clinched his second successive British Championship at Brands Hatch yesterday during a tense final meeting of the 2007 season. His third place finish behind team-mate and title-rival Jonathan Rea in the first 30-lap race of the day was enough to give the 25-year-old the title with the final race remaining.

It proved to be a triple success for the Honda Racing HM Plant Fireblades as Rea scooped second in the series, while the domination shown by the pair of Honda riders wrapped up the manufacturer’s title way back in August at Cadwell Park.

Commenting on his second title, Kiyo said: “I am so happy! In that first race I didn’t know whether to push hard or go steady and get some points. I am so glad for all the team to have won the championship once more as it is a good, happy way to leave the team.”

Ryuichi will now leave the British series and contest the 2008 World Superbike Championship aboard a CBR1000RR Fireblade with the Dutch-based Ten Kate team. His team-mate Rea will also join the squad, riding the title-winning CBR600RR in the World Supersport championship.

Since its debut back in 1992, the Fireblade has become a benchmark for excellence in the 900-1000cc sportsbike class. Over the intervening years the ’blade has been honed for both performance and useability, making the current Fireblade not only a blistering performer, but also a practical proposition day-to-day.

To back this up, the 2007 CBR1000RR was the highest-placed litre-class superbike in Bike magazine’s top 150 run-down of motorcycles on sale in the UK for 2007, stating that: “The ’blade is ridiculously, brilliantly fast but at the same time reassuringly controlled.”

For 2008 an all-new CBR1000RR will hit the streets and there’s no doubt that this amazing machine will build upon the performance of the current bike in time for the 2008 championship battle! You will get your first chance of seeing the new Fireblade at this year’s International Motorcycle and scooter Show at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham between November 23rd and December 2nd.