WHY NEW SEASON WILL BE A SIZZLER
2019 title fight looks wide open,
The Bennetts British Superbike championship gets its biggest shake-up for a decade this year as major changes for the season ahead throw the series wide open. With the likes of Shane Byrne, Leon Haslam and Jake Dixon all absent, no fewer than three new motorcycles joining the grid and an impressive game of winter musical chairs, the 2019 BSB season could be the most unpredictable yet.
And despite all the upheaval, series bosses have thrown another spanner in the works by banning testing in January and February. Instead there’s a proposed official Spanish testing period in March, meaning riders will have less time than ever before to acclimatise to their new steeds before the series starts at Silverstone in April. We take a look at the 2019 grid and rate their chances for the season ahead. Here are five reasons MCN thinks BSB will be awesome this year.
Advantage Young Gun
Everyone loves to see a fresh face succeed and there’s good reason to think we’ll see at least two young guns at the front this year. Tarran Mackenzie and Bradley Ray, both on the right side of 25, are just two of very few riders to remain with the same team in 2019. So they should start the year with an advantage over their rivals. Ray got off to a fast start in 2018 and Mackenzie has good form at Silverstone; will these two be the early championship leaders?
Ducati’s new V4 R
Everybody’s seen it, the new Ducati Panigale V4 R looks set to revolutionise superbike racing this year. Based on MotoGP technology, the fierce-looking 1000cc V4 even features GPstyle wings and boasts in excess of 230bhp... out of the box. While it’s thought the Italian beast may take some taming on BSB’s MoTeC controlled ECU, there’s some talent aboard the screaming V4s in the shape of former MotoGP rider Scott Redding, former British Champion Josh Brookes and the ever-hungry Tommy Bridewell. Both Brookes and Bridewell are proven Showdown contenders and, while it might take a bit of time for Redding to acclimatise to his new life in BSB, you’d be foolish to count him out.
Out with the old
As much as we love the likes of Shane Byrne and Leon Haslam their absence in 2019 does mean the championship is now wide open. Even Jake Dixon (right), who finished second in the BSB title fight last year, won’t be around as he’s moving to
Moto2, so the field really is as level as it could possibly be for the season ahead. A whole host of riders can fight for wins, so it might come down to who can claim some consistent points finishes and avoid DNFs.
Calendar shake-up
This year BSB starts at Silverstone in late April. Not only does that mean there’s a chance of the weather being half decent, but it opens the season with a frenetic outing on Silverstone’s National track. The introduction of Donington National (three races in May) could prove interesting, while the Showdown is now at Assen, Donington and Brands.
Point to prove
With the established stalwarts gone, many on the BSB grid see 2019 as the year to make their mark. There are a whole host of riders who, having endured a tough few years, will be out to prove what they’re capable of.
Jason O’Halloran leaves Honda after almost a decade in the fold and he’ll be out to prove his worth on the McAMS Yamaha R1, while James Ellison comes back for one more crack with Smiths Racing on the BMW S1000RR. Christian Iddon gets a fourth year with Tyco BMW, so he’ll be looking to repay their faith in him while Keith Farmer will also be out to prove he can hack it in the superbike class.
Leaving Ducati for the first time in his superbike career, Glenn Irwin fills Leon Haslam’s spot at JG Speedfit Kawasaki and will be keen to prove himself as a title contender.