From a press release issued by Honda Racing:

KIYONARI JOINS HONDA CBR600RR EFFORT

Honda’s CBR600RR line-up is increased to nine riders for Sunday’s third round of the World Supersport championship at Sugo in Japan with wild card rider Ryuichi Kiyonari joining the Dunlop-shod BKM Honda team for one event.

Kiyonari, 20, is the reigning Japanese Supersport championship and is excited at his chance of performing on the world scene, he said: “It’s a good opportunity for me and I’m hoping for a top 10 finish in Sunday¹s race even though I know how strong the competition is.”

Honda’s championship leader Chris Vermeulen arrives in Japan after a dominant victory in Australia four weeks ago and the young Ten Kate team rider remains in buoyant mood.

“Potentially this poses one of the more difficult races ­ with the wild card riders and the nature of the Sugo track,” admitted Vermeulen. “But I’ll get out there in practice and work hard on a race setting then take it from there.”

Vermeulen is joined in the Ten Kate team by Karl Muggeridge, sixth in the championship, while the Klaffi Honda team welcomes a new face, in the shape of Frenchman Sebastien Charpentier.

Team owner Klaus Klaffenbock explained: “Sebastien is replacing Gianluigi Scalvini for the rest of the 2003 season. World Supersport is a very tough class and Scalvini found it difficult to adjust from the 125cc GP class. We¹ve been helping Scalvini organise a new ride and he’ll contest the Italian Supersport championship for the Rumi Honda team.”

Charpentier rides alongside Robert Ulm in the Austrian team while the BKM Honda line-up includes Broc Parkes and Christophe Cogan, in addition to Kiyonari.

The Van Zon Honda pairing of Iain MacPherson and diminutive Belgian Werner Daemen complement Honda¹s challenge on victory in round three.