British Superbike triple champion Ryuichi Kiyonari has introduced his retirement from racing.
The 43-year-old Japanese rider launched a brief assertion on social media, a yr after revealing he can be stepping away from competitors to endure again surgical procedure.
“I’ve determined to retire.
“Thanks very a lot for all of your heat help.
“Your help has been an excellent encouragement to me.”
Kiyonari gained worldwide consideration in 2003 when he was promoted from the Japanese Championship by Honda following the loss of life of Daijiro Kato, and he accomplished the complete MotoGP season with Gresini.
After recording a greatest eleventh place end in MotoGP, the teen competed within the British Superbike Championship the next yr.
He turned one of the crucial profitable riders in BSB historical past, profitable titles with Honda in 2006 and 2007 earlier than switching to WorldSBK for 2 seasons, throughout which era he received three races.
Kiyonari then returned to the UK and received his third BSB title in 2010, cementing his standing as one of many sequence’ greats.
The final of his 50 British Superbike racing victories got here in 2014 with BMW, ending second within the championship behind Shane Byrne.
Kiyonari then re-entered WorldSBK with Altea Honda in 2019, earlier than returning to racing in Japan.
Kiyonari, who has all the time been well-liked with British followers, launched the next message on British Superbike’s official web site following his determination to retire:
“I want to say an enormous thanks to all of the BSB followers, the BSB group and sponsors, riders, workers, marshals and medics.
“I used to be in a position to get wins and podiums as a result of I met good individuals and all the time had good individuals round me. I actually loved racing with BSB and dealing with the group.”
“Ingesting John Smith was enjoyable too! I miss England a lot, however I nonetheless have a tough time consuming black pudding and Marmite!”
“BSB is all the things to me. Now I am wanting ahead to what’s subsequent and what the longer term holds.”
