WHO WILL REIGN IN SHAKEY’S ABSENCE?
Byrne makes his 2019 season predictions
With Shakey out and last year’s championship protagonists Leon Haslam and Jake Dixon moving on to the world stage, the Bennetts British Superbike championship faces a significant shake-up for the upcoming season.
There aren’t many more qualified to take a punt on how things could turn out this season than the sixtime champ.
Redding has the talent
“It seems the championship have thrown quite a few of Jonathan Palmer’s chickens into the Scott Redding basket and only time will tell if that’s a wise move. It’s exciting, for sure. The profile he has, the following he has and the speed he has is unquestionable. He’s a really talented guy, but it’s whether or not that talent will shine through at a half-wet half-dry Oulton Park with Armco barriers up the side of him as opposed to open world championship tracks like Mugello and Catalunya.”
Brookes is smart
“Josh Brookes has to deliver. All he’s ever gone on about is what everyone else has and now he has what is perceived to be the thing to have with one of the best teams on the grid, so he has to deliver. He’s a great rider and a smart guy. He always builds up momentum as the season goes on so maybe we will see him get on the bike, help to develop it and then come strong towards the end.”
Mackenzie’s challenge
“Young Taz Mackenzie should go well but that depends on how much they can squeeze out of the Yamaha which is quite old now.”
Can Fores adapt?
“Honda’s Xavi Fores is a really talented guy, a podium guy in World Superbikes, but again, how is he going to feel about Cadwell or Knockhill?”
Big switch for Irwin
“Glenn Irwin is a quick guy, but I’m not sure how he will find the switch to Kawasaki. He’s got to perform though. He only won one race last year.”
Can’t rule out Hickman
“Keith Farmer and Christian Iddon will be hungry on the BMW... maybe the new bike will be what they need to get that team to the front. You can’t rule out Hickman or Ellison either, that’s a great team. Will the new BMW be good in BSB? It looks like a great package but like the R1 when that first came out, and like the V4R Panigale, they are all centred around really trick electronics packages with slide control and all of that, but it’s all stripped off for BSB!”