SYLVAIN GUINTOLI faces increased competition at Croft this weekend as HM Plant Honda's Josh Brookes returns to the grid, joined by former BSB champion Ryuichi Kiyonari.
Kiyonari, who's on secondment from WSB duties, will be looking to make a big impression as he returns to the British Superbike scene. Tommy Hill, Guintoli's former stand-in at Worx Suzuki, will also be taking part on the Hydrex Honda in place of recently-sacked Karl Harris.
Guintoli said: "I've been doing my usual preparation of watching DVDs to get an idea of how the circuit goes and I've even been looking at the team's data from last year. I understand it's another ex World War II airfield circuit, so it's flatter and maybe less technical than Cadwell Park.
"I was pretty sore after Cadwell Park and I definitely made a mistake by not icing my leg and knee after each ride. But it was important for me to get back into the rhythm of racing and for my leg to get used to the stresses and strains again. I think Cadwell was certainly the greatest test for it, everything from here on should be easier, physically at least.
"It's going to be an exciting weekend this weekend, with Kiyo, Brooks and Tommy Hill added to the starting grid it can only be good for the competition, good for the championship."
