YOSHIMURA SUZUKI MOTUL UNVEILS 2019 ALL JAPAN SBK TEAM

Yoshimura Suzuki MOTUL racing will field Yukio Kagayama and Kazuki Watanabe for 2019 All Japan Road Race Championship JSB1000 class aboard the GSX-R1000R.

It is the second consecutive year for Watanabe after an impressive 2018 season and he is expected to further improve during the season racing alongside the experienced Kagayama, who contributed to the victory of Yoshimura Suzuki at the Suzuka 8-Hour Endurance race in 2007.

Yohei Kato – Team Manager:

“We are pleased to announce Yoshimura Suzuki MOTUL Racing will have Yukio Kagayama and Kazuki Watanabe for 2019 MFJ All Japan Road Race Championship JSB1000 class to aim the champion title. Yukio Kagayama has brought us the Suzuka 8H victory in 2007 and has many experiences in both world and national championships. Kazuki Watanabe made a great progress in the last season and we expect further performance in 2019. We are confident that we will make a very exiting race season with them.

“We were not satisfied with results of the last season, so we invited Yukio Kagayama to be a game changer. Together with him, we will reorganise the team and break through all difficulties. We will never give up fighting against factory teams and promise that Team Yoshimura will leap forward in 2019 season by making improvements step by step. We would like to thank Suzuki, MOTUL, all sponsors and fans for warm support. We will grab podium finishes and the victory together with all your support!”

#12 Yukio Kagayama:

“I am very excited to announce that I will be racing in JSB1000 with Yoshimura Suzuki.
It was a surprise offer since I am going to be 45 years old this year, but Yoshimura still believes that my long experience on the GSX-R will work. Of course I am confident that we will have a strong package to fight for victory and I will do my best.

“The time flies and it’s been nine years since I raced with Yoshimura Suzuki last time. There are many great memories including our victory at Suzuka 8H in 2007, and I hope we can make it again!
I am hoping I can bring lots of excitements to all the fans and that they will enjoy JSB1000 in 2019! “

#26 Kazuki Watanabe:

“I am glad to race with Yoshimura Suzuki MOTUL Racing again in the 2019 season. It was not possible to make it without the big help from the people around me, and I would like to thank them who involved to give me the chance. I really had a fresh mind when I was back to the All Japan Championship last year with a new team and new machine. There were some chances for the podium during the season but unfortunately it didn’t come true even at once. It made me really disappointed and this energy is pushing me for another challenge. I am more than ready to fight the 2019 season with Yoshimura Suzuki MOTUL Racing, and hope I can send you a big smile from the podium very soon!”