Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

2004 All-Japan Road Race Series Superbike Champion Hitoyasu Izutsu, 33, has announced his retirement from professional motorcycle road racing, according to sources in Japan.

In addition to winning the 2004 Japanese Superbike Championship on a Team Sakurai Honda CBR1000RR, with one win and five podium finishes in seven rounds, Izutsu also won the Suzuki 8 Hours this year, on a factory Honda entry; the 2000 Japanese Superbike Championship, on a Kawasaki; and won both of the World Superbike races at Sugo on his Kawasaki in 2000.