From a press release issued by Honda Racing Information:

HONDA RACING INFORMATION

MotoGP Circuit “Team Telefonica MoviStar Honda” Signs Ryuichi Kiyonari as Rider

Kiyonari Joins Telefonica MoviStar Honda

Team Telefonica MoviStar Honda, competing in the 2003 MotoGP with Honda RC211Vs, has announced that Ryuichi Kiyonari (20, from Saitama, Japan) will be one of its riders in the upcoming fourth race of the season, the May 25th French Grand Prix.

Previously, Kiyonari raced in the ST600 Class of the 2002 All Japan RoadRace along with fellow riders Tohru Ukawa and the late Daijiro Kato as a members of Team Kohtake RSC.

Kiyonari, although only 20, has won four of the eight races he has entered and won the championship in his debut year. Another ndication of Kiyonari’s potential was his second-place finish on April 27th at the FIM Super Sports World Championship at the Sugo Circuit, even though it was his first race there.

Team Manager Fausto Gresini said this about Kiyonari and his reasons for selecting him to join the team: “He’s a young and talented rider and we’ve got lots of time to build up a strong relationship. With more experience he should be one of MotoGP’s top riders.”

Kiyonari’s contract is for one year, lasting through the 2003 season, with an option for another year in 2004. Kiyonari’s schedule for this year includes joining the team for the season’s third race, the Spanish Grand Prix. The Japanese rider will have his first race on the RC211V at the French Grand Prix, the fourth contest of the season, on May 25.

Comment from Ryuichi Kiyonari “When I found out that it was decided I’d be joining the MotoGP team, it was really sudden. I was both surprised and really happy. But when I got to the circuit, I felt that I’m facing a major new challenge. The plan is that I’ll get to test ride the RC211V next week and, to be perfectly honest, what I’m feeling right now is more a kind of impatience to get going rather than nervousness. First I have to get used to the new situation, then I hope to keep on riding as I have been.”

Career Highlights – Ryuichi Kiyonari

1988 -1990 (6-8 year old)

Rode a motocross bike and became interested in motorcycling.

Participated in MX races with his friends

1991-1995 (9-13)

He was the first student of the Suzuka Racing School (SRS-J).

As a member of the SRS-J, he took part in local GP80cc races

1996

Suzuka and Tsukuba GP80cc class Champion

1997

Tsukuba Championship GP125B class Champion

1998

26th 125cc All Japan Championship.

1999

23rd 125cc All Japan Championship.

2000

Joined Team Kotake RSC

20th 250cc All Japan Championship

2nd Suzuka 8 Hours XF class

2001

16th 250cc All Japan Championship

2002

All Japan Champion ST600 class(Supersport)

10th JSB1000 Class All-Japan Championship

Winner of round 8 All Japan Superbike Championship at Tanaka International (Kiyonari’s only Superbike race of the 2002 season)

2003

2nd Supersport World Championship race at Sugo