RACING LINES
Where To, Brookes?
Indeed, it would appear that 2015’s BSB champion may well be heading back toward Britain for 2017. Most of the decent rides in WSB have long been snapped up, leaving the smaller teams and maybe one or two other inclusions to choose from. It’s a pity, really, as BSB champions of recent years just haven’t made their mark as we’d have hoped. Shane Byrne couldn’t manage it, and Leon Camier still awaits that first win. For Brookes it’s been a disaster, no doubt, wherever he ends up will be better than 2016, won’t it?
Where To, Guinters?
Two years ago he won the WSB title, now Sylvain Guintoli too is scrabbling for a ride along with others such as Davide Guigliano. He’s another being touted for a return to BSB, though exactly where isn’t clear as, just likeWSB, there are only a handful of seats worth having in Britain for a potential front-runner. Even Guinter’s close association with sponsors Pata doesn’t seem to be opening any doors especially as they’re sticking with the Yamaha team. Ah well...
Over To You, Tommy?
It’s fair to say Tommy Hill’s first full year as the official Yamaha BSB runner hasn’t been brilliant, blighted by one rider who couldn’t get on with the bike, and another who keeps picking up injuries. There’s no doubt the pairing of Guintoli and Brookes in BSB in 2017, on Yamahas, would have even Shakey quaking in his Supertechs. That being said, there are other young British riders worth a shout, waiting for that next level, those such as Luke Mossey. It could be that taking a punt on himmay be the missing ingredient for Hill.
Could Abraham Help?
It’s true, that despite a woeful debut WSB season, Karel Abraham is looking to remain within the paddock. Riding what and with who is a mystery, but daddy isn’t short of a Euro or three, nor good connections with manufacturers. It could well be whatever he decides to do may provide a potential berth for Brookes, Guintoli, Guigliano or another. He’s been linked to KTM’s new superbike, or a satellite Aprilia or Ducati deal.
And Then There’s Ioda
Currently running the Aprilia effort, Ioda is also looking to remain in WSB. Not only have the team seen what a top ten looks like, but Alex de Angelis finally nabbed the team a podium in Germany. They will be losing Savadori, but de Angelis is still free and others are desperate for a ride. We’ve heard nothing but good things about the squad and they too have been linked with running Ducatis next year.
Enter, Suzuki…
And here’s another potential ace in the hole for teams such as Ioda, or Karel Abraham’s lot, and so on. Suzuki’s new bike is out, BSB teams will be receiving theirs very shortly, so anybody hoping to run one in WSB should be able to get cracking quickly. As it’d likely be a single team running them they’d have access to factory help, and that alone can pique the interest of many a rider. We’d love the Battas to return again but, sadly, that doesn’t look possible at this stage.