Schumacher ends WSB talk
Added on Tuesday, December 16th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor
Schumacher ends WSB talk
Michael Schumacher will not take up the option to ride in World Superbikes in 2009, but has expressed a desire to take on MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi.
The seven-time F1 World Champion, who has taken up a motorcycle career in the German Superbikes Championship, has been strongly linked with a place in World Superbikes after testing for three of the factory teams; Ten Kate Honda, Ducati Xerox and Yamaha at various points last season.
The German was also told last week by Honda Europe boss Carlo Fiorani that there was a bike waiting for him should he wish to take, increasing speculation of at least a wild-card ride for 2009.
But Schumacher has now shrugged off the rumours by insisting that his interest in World Superbikes is merely as a spectator, rather than a competitor.
“No, I’m discounting that,” he told Gazetta dello Sport when quizzed about a possible WSBK appearance. “Maybe I’ll go to watch, but not to race.”
Speaking ahead the Race of Champions event at Wembley this weekend, where he helped Germany to the Nations Cup last year, Schumacher did however claim that he would like to challenge Valentino Rossi in an RoC-style event in the future.
“It’s fun; I like racing on a track inside a stadium. I enjoy the challenge of going up against so many drivers from different disciplines. It wouldn’t disappoint me at all to be able to take him [Valentino] on here, given that he’s quick in cars too – but I could also take him on in motorbikes.”
Also racing at the Race of Champions this weekend is current WSB champion Troy Bayliss.
