HONDA UK has announced that Michael Laverty and Jon Kirkham have joined their official team for the 2012 British Superbike championship.
The pair will replace Shane Bryne, who has signed to PBM Kawasaki, and Ryuichi Kiyonari in the factory Honda team next season.
Laverty switches from the Swan Yamaha team, where he scored three wins and a further five podium finishes on the way to fourth last season. On the move, he said: “It is an exciting prospect for me to be joining Honda for 2012. It was unexpected and it is always a difficult decision to move teams, especially as we had such a good season this year. I was fortunate to have options and I have gone from one championship winning team to another; everyone knows that Honda have the history in BSB and we are really looking forward now to next season.
"I think the change with the rules has played a part in my decision to join Honda. You can see from Evo this season that the Honda chassis and engine was so strong and delivers useable power which will be so important next year. Next season for sure is going to be interesting and I think we start in a great position. The calibre of Honda and the Fireblade is high and we know we have big potential to fight for the title.”
Last season Kirkham rode for the Samsung Suzuki outfit, securing his debut win on the way to claiming the Rider's Cup for the first non-Title Fighter. He added: “It is absolutely fantastic for me to be joining the official Honda team as they are well established and the most successful team in the BSB paddock. I really do believe they will have the package to beat with the new technical regulations as you could see how strong the Honda Fireblade was in the Evo championship last season, and the new for 2012 ‘Blade looks set to be even stronger.
"2011 was an up and down season for me so next year I just want to concentrate on my riding and getting the Honda up the front where we want and need to be. I want to be consistently ‘up there’. This season I have proved I can be, so I now need to do that every race and with the Honda team I believe that is totally possible. I have my own expectations; I am sure everyone does, but I definitely want to exceed them next year. I have never been so excited about a season as I am about 2012 and I just want to get started now.”
Alongside the Superbike line-up Honda will also run TT-winner Gary Johnson and Jason O'Halloran in the British Superstock class.
Team Manager Havier Beltran said: “We are very happy to announce these four riders who bring a great mix of different talents and personalities to the team. All four have great natural racing ability and proven credentials, but all of them also very much have the potential to go even further and have things they want to prove in their respective championships.
With this combination, coupled with the new regulations and the new 2012 CBR1000RR Fireblade, we are injecting some great new energy into our racing operation and we will continue to be a force to be reckoned with next season.”
The 2012 BSB championship starts at Brands Hatch on the Easter Bank Holiday weekend in April. Click here for the 2012 British Superbike calendar.
