Superstock Champ steps up to WSB
Added on Wednesday, December 10th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor
Superstock Champ steps up to WSB
Recently crowned FIM 1000 Superstock Cup World Champion Brendan Roberts has confirmed that he will ride for the Guandalini Ducati team in World Superbikes for 2009.
Roberts, who sealed the Superstock crown at the final round of the season in Portimao, will ride alongside Czech rider Jakub Smrz next season, under the watchful eye of ex World Superbike rider Pierfrancesco Chili.
Riding the RS09 Ducati for the team, the youngster is looking to follow in the footsteps of compatriot Troy Bayliss from next season and believes that he is ready for the challenges that the new season will bring.
The 23-year-old already has an impressive CV in the sport after coming second in the Yamaha R6 Virgin Cup in 2005 while competing in Europe. He went on to win the British Superstock title in 2006 at Croft, with three rounds still to run while simultaneously completing six races in the European category. before a potentially career threatening injury hit in 2007.
Speaking after the announcement the 23-year-old, who had been linked with the North West Ducati BSB team following his Superstock win, said: “I’ve been given a fantastic opportunity next year and I’ll be riding in the Superbike class against some of the biggest names in the sport. It’s going to be tough as I have to learn a new bike, plus a couple of new tracks and there are a handful of extremely good riders coming from the UK, which will add to the mix of it all.
“I’m really excited and happy I’ve been given the chance to ride for the Guandalini team and extremely looking forward to the first test in January.”
