In the world of motorsport, nothing stands still for long. In fact, no sooner has the final trophy been placed on the shelf before testing kicks off and teams get to work on their plans for the year ahead. And with no shortage of fresh faces, rejuvenated rides and championship contenders lining up ahead of the 2016 season, it’s easy to see why.
Looking forward to this year’s WSBK Championship? We are too! But before things get underway later this month, let’s take a peek at some of the riders who’ll be hoping to claim the coveted title of World Superbike Champion 2016!
Jonathan Rea
Starting with the current Champion, our very own JR will be hoping to start 2016 with all the class, style and breath-taking speed that will forever be associated with the 2015 season. During the off season, Rea has been spending some time getting used to his all new Kawasaki ZX-10R and, after several successful tests in Aragon and Jerez, things have been starting to click. Will JR be the first rider to claim back-to-back titles since Foggy in the late 90s? We’ll have to wait and see.
Chaz Davies
While others have been spending the off season getting used to their new teams, co-workers and bikes, Chaz Davies has wasted no time in getting stuck in to his Ducati 1199 Panigale R. Boasting new suspension and electronics, Davies will be hoping to build on the five wins he accumulated en route to last season’s second place finish.
Nicky Hayden
After making the move from MotoGP into WSBK, Nicky Hayden has been quick to dismiss any suggestion that he’s looking for an easy ride. By joining the WSBK circuit, Hayden and his Fireblade will need to demonstrate a mixture of skill, speed and adaptability – which shouldn’t be too hard for a former GP World Champion, right?
Tom Sykes
If seeing Jonathan Rea on the top of the podium was tough for the likes of Davies, Haslam and Torres, imagine how it must’ve felt for his teammate, Tom Sykes! This year Sykes will be looking to make up for lost time and, if his performances at both Jerez and Aragon are anything to go by, he may just fancy mounting a title challenge of his own in 2016.
Josh Brookes
After storming to victory in the 2015 British Superbike season, Josh Brookes and the Milwaukee BMW team will be making the transition to WSBK in 2016. Along with former GP rider Karal Abraham, Brookes will be hoping to carry over his form from the domestic competition, into the global theatre of biking. Can he do it? Who knows – but we’ll certainly be glued to the TV when this year’s championship kicks off in Australia this Feb!
We’ll be following the likes of JR, Leon Haslam and Josh Brookes throughout the up and coming WSBK season – and if you’re looking to follow it too, be sure to check out our blog for updates, news and reviews!