Buildbase Suzuki will field an all-new rider line-up for the 2020 British Superbike Championship with Keith Farmer and Kyle Ryde coming on board.
After reaching the Title Showdown in 2018 with Bradley Ray, the factory-backed Suzuki team endured a tougher 2019 campaign in the Superbike class but showed hints of a return to form in the latter half of the year with podiums at Oulton Park and a front row start at Assen.
For the 2020 BSB Championship, the Hawk Racing-run squad has signed Farmer from Tyco BMW to lead its challenge. The Northern Irishman – a former Superstock 1000 champion – was in contention for a Title Showdown spot this season prior to an accident at Knockhill that broke his leg and sidelined him for the remainder of the year.
“Last year started well but obviously I had the crash at Knockhill and the injury was pretty significant. Honestly, I didn’t expect to be in as good a shape as I am now, but since then I have done everything I can to keep fit and get back to full fitness as soon as possible.
“That’s been working in the gym, cycling, physio, and even changing my diet. I’ve been back on a supermoto bike to try and keep bike fit, and the movement I have in the legs and ankles is pretty good.
“I’m excited for next season, it’s a winning bike and I think I’ll have a team around me that want to give me as much bike time as possible so we can have the best season we can. The goal is top-10s from the start, and push towards the top-six and hopefully mix it with the Showdown contenders.”
Ryde, meanwhile, steps up to the Superbike class for the first time having risen through the ranks in the Superstock and Supersport classes. A 125, Superstock 600 and British GP2 Champion, Ryde got a taste of a stock Suzuki GSX-R1000 this year, preceding his deal to ride the full Superbike version
“I’m really grateful to Steve [Hicken] for the opportunity. I enjoyed riding the Superstock GSX-R at Donington, and to be honest I was looking for a Superstock 1000 ride for next season but Steve has given me this chance and I’m really thankful and looking forward to it. The stocker had a great chassis and gave me a good feeling from the front, which is one thing that’s really important to me as a rider.
“I know the superbike will be a different animal again but I’m in a team that has a lot of experience with the Suzuki, and a team that will help me learn and develop. If we can start off in the points, hopefully we can build from there and progress towards and into the top-10.”
