WSBK riders for 2025

[slopes]

So who is confirmed and who is romoured for 2025
Aruba.It Ducati - Bautista and Bulega until the end of 2025
Pata Yamaha - Rea and Locatelli until the end of 2025
Kawasaki - Lowes until the end of 2025 Bassani on multi year deal
Honda Viege & Lecuona until the end of 2025
RokiT BMW - Toprak and Van Der mark until the end of 2025
Pucetti Kawasaki - Gerloff until the end of 2025
Barni Spark Ducati - Petrucci until the end of 2025

All other seats are currently up for grabs

[graeme4130]

It's going to be interesting to see where Redding ends up
From what I've heard, it's all still very much up in the air, and although he has offers (Benovo on a V4R + A.N.Other in WSBK and couple in BSB)) he can't formally take them whilst under the BMW contract.
Sooo.. Either BMW pay him off his 2025 contract and salary, or they try and hang fire and hope he breaks the contract himself, without their 2025 payment, and signs for another team

[slopes]

graeme4130 said:

It's going to be interesting to see where Redding ends up
From what I've heard, it's all still very much up in the air, and although he has offers (Benovo on a V4R + A.N.Other in WSBK and couple in BSB)) he can't formally take them whilst under the BMW contract.
Sooo.. Either BMW pay him off his 2025 contract and salary, or they try and hang fire and hope he breaks the contract himself, without their 2025 payment, and signs for another team

Makes you wonder if he is going to replace one of the FHO team as they have said they are going to MotoAmerica, unless they go there with him on the BMW?

[graeme4130]

slopes said:

graeme4130 said:

It's going to be interesting to see where Redding ends up
From what I've heard, it's all still very much up in the air, and although he has offers (Benovo on a V4R + A.N.Other in WSBK and couple in BSB)) he can't formally take them whilst under the BMW contract.
Sooo.. Either BMW pay him off his 2025 contract and salary, or they try and hang fire and hope he breaks the contract himself, without their 2025 payment, and signs for another team

Makes you wonder if he is going to replace one of the FHO team as they have said they are going to MotoAmerica, unless they go there with him on the BMW?

I can't see FHO going to MA, equally I can't see them sticking around in BSB for much longer
No idea where they'll end up, if anywhere
Be a shame to see them go though, as they've been a good addition to the BSB paddock and pay lots of people very well from what I understand

[slopes]

graeme4130 said:

slopes said:

graeme4130 said:

It's going to be interesting to see where Redding ends up
From what I've heard, it's all still very much up in the air, and although he has offers (Benovo on a V4R + A.N.Other in WSBK and couple in BSB)) he can't formally take them whilst under the BMW contract.
Sooo.. Either BMW pay him off his 2025 contract and salary, or they try and hang fire and hope he breaks the contract himself, without their 2025 payment, and signs for another team

Makes you wonder if he is going to replace one of the FHO team as they have said they are going to MotoAmerica, unless they go there with him on the BMW?

I can't see FHO going to MA, equally I can't see them sticking around in BSB for much longer
No idea where they'll end up, if anywhere
Be a shame to see them go though, as they've been a good addition to the BSB paddock and pay lots of people very well from what I understand

They have put out a post on X saying they are going to MotoAmerica so unless it's smoke and mirrors do deflect attention away from something else, looks like they might be.
Sometimes get the impression with FHO that if Hicky decided to stop racing the roads, they'd be off

[slopes]

Was watching the WSBK from Magny Cours at the weekend and there are rumours around the paddock apparently that HRC want involvement from Honda Britain to sort the WSBK Fireblade out.
Moving staff from Britain to WSBK to help sort the bike, with WSBK staff going the other way?
Rider sharing during testin?
Or just data sharing and a trip to Louth to see what they do differently to WSBK?

Be interesting to see if the rumour is correct

[John D.]

Could understand sharing/moving staff, but the bikes are run to very different rules so I wonder how much cross over there is for data. Tyres are the same brand I suppose (although I think BSB doesn't use the softest compound now).

Honda has the resources and budget to build a winning bike and hire top riders. It's got to be a human factor holding them back.

[hepy]

John D. said:

Could understand sharing/moving staff, but the bikes are run to very different rules so I wonder how much cross over there is for data. Tyres are the same brand I suppose (although I think BSB doesn't use the softest compound now).

Honda has the resources and budget to build a winning bike and hire top riders. It's got to be a human factor holding them back.

Agree with this. Bike barely ran at the front last year, but bringing in Bridewell has it delivering consistent podiums. Would love to see Bridewell doing the 8 hour next year.

Same with BMW and Toprak, although he is a special talent.

[Rob 131 Sport]

I think TB in WSBK would create lots of interest for the British fans. I haven’t been to a WSBK round since 2015, however that would change with TB in the series.

[joema]

we have plenty of british riders in WSBK (that also beat TB). If your own love of TB is preventing you from watching WSBK then that's your own loss?

[graeme4130]

hepy said:

John D. said:

Could understand sharing/moving staff, but the bikes are run to very different rules so I wonder how much cross over there is for data. Tyres are the same brand I suppose (although I think BSB doesn't use the softest compound now).

Honda has the resources and budget to build a winning bike and hire top riders. It's got to be a human factor holding them back.

Agree with this. Bike barely ran at the front last year, but bringing in Bridewell has it delivering consistent podiums. Would love to see Bridewell doing the 8 hour next year.

Same with BMW and Toprak, although he is a special talent.

In fairness, last year's Honda performances (or lack of) were more down to the form and fitness of their riders rather than the bike
Remember Glenn Irwin came second to Brad Ray in the championship the year before, so the bike has always been very good
Tommy is just getting that little bit more out of it, and they have a new bike that comes with a lot of HRC support

[John D.]

graeme4130 said:

hepy said:

John D. said:

Could understand sharing/moving staff, but the bikes are run to very different rules so I wonder how much cross over there is for data. Tyres are the same brand I suppose (although I think BSB doesn't use the softest compound now).

Honda has the resources and budget to build a winning bike and hire top riders. It's got to be a human factor holding them back.

Agree with this. Bike barely ran at the front last year, but bringing in Bridewell has it delivering consistent podiums. Would love to see Bridewell doing the 8 hour next year.

Same with BMW and Toprak, although he is a special talent.

In fairness, last year's Honda performances (or lack of) were more down to the form and fitness of their riders rather than the bike
Remember Glenn Irwin came second to Brad Ray in the championship the year before, so the bike has always been very good
Tommy is just getting that little bit more out of it, and they have a new bike that comes with a lot of HRC support

I was referring to the human factor in the WSBK team/factory (non-rider team members). They've got good riders in both championships.

[slopes]

joema said:

we have plenty of british riders in WSBK (that also beat TB). If your own love of TB is preventing you from watching WSBK then that's your own loss?

I can agree with this, i’m a TB fan but the last WSBK round was nuts, people off left right and centre, the three most dominant riders in the series all ruled out - yes i know Rea hasn’t been as dominant the last few years but he is still the most dominant rider in the history of the series for now - and newer riders challenging for race wins, battles throughout the races.

Was a great round in that respect but this whole year has been great so far what with TR proving the BMW is a good bike, Bautista not having it all his own way, Bulega taking the fight to TR and Lowes proving that he can lead a team. Just a shame his brother Sam keeps libbing the Ducati into the scenery. Petrucci in the mix as well.