Young Guns Set To Load MotoGP Bullets

He was an immediate smash hit, despite the fact that there were so many experienced riders in this class that it was impossible for him to win in his first year. Nonetheless, Neukirchner managed such a feat – not in a single race per se, but he was awarded the ‘Rookie of the Year’ trophy for his superb showings and consistent points scoring in a class littered with much more experienced hard nuts and former champions. Just to underline his adeptness and versatility, it was not just his rookie WSS season; it was his first ever four-stroke season.

Most riders would have stayed in the class another year to go for the win, but with loftier ambitions suddenly within his reach, Neukirchner and Klaffi Honda hopped up to the Superbike class the very next season. His rookie season in Superbike delivered him a podium in Australia – at a real rider’s circuit – and only a hand injury in the very next round compounded by an exponential increase in the numbers of riders capable of top fives by mid-season, prevented more measurable points progress. Such was the resurgence of the class this year, and his seven no scores, that Neukirchner did not quite get the top ten finish he desired. He did get something more valuable and long-lasting, however, immediate respect as a top Superbike rider, in a class with 30 regular participants, almost all of whom have much more experience than the 22-year-old German.

Kyonari on the RC211V

Kyonari was due to test alongside Luthi, Dovizioso and Neukirchner at Valencia but was given the opportunity to race the RC211V at the GP on the preceding Sunday. Racing for the Camel Honda team (substituting for the injured Tory Bayliss) his ride delivered him 12th place and immediately marked him as a sterling prospect.

For Kiyonari it was a return to an updated version of the machine that he rode in the 2003 MotoGP season, following the untimely death of the late lamented Daijiro Kato, but for Luthi and Neukirchner it was the first time they have ridden one of the most complete and accomplished race bikes ever built. Dovizioso, 125cc World Champion in 2004, tested the RCV for the second time.

Competing in the British championship for the last two years, Kiyonari (23) is the most experienced four-stroke rider of the new wild bunch testing at Valencia, having sailed close to the championship win in the UK this year.

Honda’s youngest ever line-up

While at Valencia the four trainee MotoGP Musketeers were able to watch their young Honda compatriots take their first steps to preparing for their 2006 MotoGP campaign.

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