BSB Rider List Finalised
Added on Thursday, March 13th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor
BSB Rider List Finalised
The 2008 British Superbike Championship line-up was finalised today ahead of the official Pirelli test at Snetterton.
With champion Ryuichi Kiyonari making the switch to World Superbikes, Leon Haslam will be one of the front-runners for the title after finishing third last season.
Haslam makes the switch from Airwaves Ducati to replace the Japanese rider at HM Plant Racing Honda – the team that has powered the two BSB champions for the past two seasons and will be joined by 2006 British Supersport champion Cal Crutchlow.
The pair have been setting the early pace in testing but face strong opposition from the Rizla Suzuki team, with 2007 rookie of the year Tom Sykes and double Japanese Superbike champion Atsushi Watanabe both aiming for the drivers’ championship this time around.
Making the move to Airwave Ducati is 2003 champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne, who switches from Stobart Honda.
Byrne had a somewhat disappointing year last season, finishing fifth in the championship with just one race win all season but what better way to get your title bid back on track than returning to the side with whom you last won the championship?
The title race is also likely to be contested by previous Supersport title winners Stuart Easton on the Kawasaki and Karl Harris, who is riding for Team Yamaha.
The official Pirelli Test takes place over the Easter bank holiday weekend (22nd-24th March) and is the final chance to see the riders in action before the season opener at Brands Hatch on April 6.
2008 British Superbikes Entry List:
2. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati)
3. Stuart Easton (MSS-Discovery Kawasaki)
4. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS)
5. Karl Harris (RM Yamaha)
6. James Haydon (Hawk)
7. James Ellison (Hydrex-Bike Animal Honda)
8. Billy McConnell (MSS-Discovery Kawasaki)
9. Guy Martin (Hydrex-Bike Animal Honda)
11. Adam Jenkinson (SMT Honda)
14. Atsushi Watanabe (Rizla Suzuki)
17. Simon Andrews (Lloyds British Jentin Yamaha)
21. Tom Tunstall (Hardinge Ice Valley Motorsport)(P)
22. Steve Plater (AIM Yamaha)
27. Michael Howarth (TENA for Men Honda) (P)
33. Tristan Palmer (TENA for Men Honda)
35. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda)
40. Martin Jessopp (Riders Honda) (P)
51. Luke Quigley (PDM Racing) (P)
53. Chris Burns (STP MV Agusta)
56. James Buckingham (Quay Honda) (P)
63. Steve Mercer (Bob Farnham Tuning) (P)
64. Aaron Zanotti (Red Viper Honda)
66. Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki)
67. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati)
68. David Johnson (PR Branson Honda)
88. Scott Smart (Hawk)
91. Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda)
99. Brian McCormack (TAG Honda MAC Racing)
111. Malcolm Ashley (MARARP Kawasaki) (P)
118. Dean Ellison (Co-ordit Yamaha)
200. Michael Rutter (North West 200 Ducati)
