Kiyonari spent three seasons in BSB with HM Plant Honda

Former British Superbike champion Ryuichi Kiyonari is to make a surprise return with HM Plant Honda in round 10 of the series at Croft at the weekend.

The Japanese rider, 26, won the title with the Louth-based team in 2006 and 2007 before moving to World Superbikes.

His one-off ride sees him stand in for the injured Glen Richards, while Josh Brookes also returns after a ban.

Kiyonari said: "I'm really excited to be riding for the team again and especially at Croft."

He added: "I love the circuit and won both races when I last raced there in 2007."

Kiyonari, who has taken four victories in all at the North Yorkshire circuit, spent three seasons in BSB with HM Plant Honda before joining the Ten Kate Honda World Superbike squad.

Richards is set to return for the following round of the British series at Silverstone after recovering from a broken leg sustained in a crash in round six at Knockhill.

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