Step up for Kagayama

The British Superbike Championship front-runner Yukio Kagayama will get his big break in MotoGP when he stands in for the injured Kenny Roberts at the Dutch TT later this month.

The Japanese rider competes for Rizla Suzuki in Britain and that association has led to him moving into Suzuki's grand prix squad for one race as the former world champion Roberts recovers from the chest injuries he suffered in Italy earlier this month.

Kagayama has already had a taste of international action this year having led both World Superbike races at Silverstone last weekend before settling for fifth in both as a wild card. It is some time since he last rode in grands prix though, with his best-ever result coming five years ago with a sixth place in Malaysia.

"The chance has come earlier than I thought - and I'm looking forward to it," he said.