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Podium finishes for Kiyonari and Harris at Thruxton

Author: HM PLant Honda Press Release
Posted on: Tuesday, Apr 18 2006



Kiyonari, who qualified in seventh place on the grid, had a solid start to race one and was running in third by lap two. In the opening stages the Japanese rider was strongly challenged by his former team mate Michael Rutter and the pair thrilled the capacity crowd as they regularly exchanged places. However, Kiyonari kept the door firmly shut on Rutter finishing in third aboard his HM Plant Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade.

Team mate Karl Harris had a lucky escape to the opening race. In the frantic dash to the first corner the Sheffield-based rider took a tumble and narrowly escaped making contact with the ensuing pack.

Harris made amends in race two. The 25-year-old had a strong start and like Kiyonari in race one, was challenged by Rutter. However, with everything to prove Harris increased the tempo and by the end of lap three had pulled ahead, establishing himself in third.

Meanwhile, after a poor start, Kiyonari was stealthily making his way through the field and by lap seven was closing in on his team mate, finally overtaking him on lap 15.

However, Harris had every intention of making it to the rostrum and stayed with Kiyonari for the remainder of the race before passing him on the final lap at Village and finishing in a well-earned third place.

Ryuichi Kiyonari: “I am happy with the bike and the first race. But I would have liked to have been on the podium in both races. I did not have a good start to race two but I had good set-up and I made up many places, and Karl and I had a very good battle out there.”

Karl Harris: “After the first race I was determined to be on podium in the second. I knew I was quicker than Kiyo out the back so I thought I would wait and pass him on the last lap, as I didn’t want to risk too much after race one. I’m pleased with the end result and looking forward to Oulton which is one of my favourite tracks.”

Neil Tuxworth: “I happy for both Kiyo and Karl today. Kiyo had a good start to the weekend and it was good to see him on the rostrum once again. Obviously Karl had a difficult but unavoidable first race incident and we were pleased to see him make amends in the second race.”


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