Wednesday 28 November 2012

Team lineup news

It's barely the end of 2012 and already we know a great deal about where riders will be racing in the 2013 British Superbike and World Superbike seasons.

In the British championship, Shane Byrne returns to defend his title aboard the Paul Bird Motorsport Kawasaki although he has a new team mate in the form of multiple Superstock champion Keith Farmer. One of the first riders to announce their plans for 2013 was Josh Brookes and he contines with the successful Tyco Suzuki package into the new season. He will also have a new team mate in the form of american rookie, PJ Jacobson. There was big news from the Swan Yamaha garage as Tommy Hill announced he will take a break from racing in 2013. Could this open the door for a triumphant return for James Elison who is without a ride after not being offered a new deal in Moto GP CRT?

In World Superbikes, it will be an all-british pairing of Leon Haslam and Jonathan Rea aboard the factory Honda. 2012 title contender Marco Melandri stays aboard the BMW and is joined by Chaz Davies. After coming so close to the title last season, Tom Sykes stays with Kawasaki and is joined by French rider, Loris Baz. Former champion Carlos Checa will be leading the Ducati charge aboard the brand new 1199 Panigale. There will be no defending champion this year as 2012 winner, Max Biaggi announced his retirement from the sport.