British Superbike News

British Superbike champions of 2008, GSE Racing have announced that they will race the all new YZF-R1 in next years championship series, having agreed an exciting partnership deal with Yamaha Motor UK.

GSE will retain the services of the young 2008 rider Leon Camier, who finished fifth overall in the British Superbike results for this years championship, having won three races and five other podium places. His prodigious talent will be matched with the vast experience of former MotoGP rider and journeyman James Ellison, also a firm favourite with the UK fans.

Ellison joins GSE from Honda with whom he finished in seventh place in the 2008 British Superbike series. The rider says he is “ecstatic” to be chosen to race with “The most successful team in the paddock.” He has kept in touch with GSE’s Colin Wright since 2005, when he came close to signing for them. He instead chose to sign for MotoGP team WCM, having impressed when he standing in when their regular rider Chris Burns was injured, late in 2004.

Camier shares the same enthusiasm for the coming season as his team mate, saying that he is pleased to be part of this new era for GSE Racing and it’s exciting partnership with Yamaha and can’t wait to start testing the new YZF-R1.

GSE championship rivals HM Plant Honda, who lost both Leon Haslam and Cal Crutchlow to World Superbike and World Supersport respectively, have announced two Australian riders as their replacements, in the latest British Superbike news.

Reigning Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport champion Glen Richards will make a welcome return to British Superbike with HM Plant Honda, having spent the last two seasons away. As well as winning the British Supersport crown this season, Richards also won the National Superstock class in 2007.

Having scored back to back titles in two classes, Richards will be looking to make it three in the 2009 series of British Superbike. Richards is joined at HM Plant by Josh Brookes, also from the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport championship. Brookes impressed HM Plant bosses after a one off performance on their machine in the final round of the Supersport championship at Brands Hatch, and is rewarded with the 2009 ride.

HM Plant finished second in this years championship, having won the title in 2006 and 2007.