Buildbase Suzuki signs Gino Rea as Bike Devil opts for Tom Ward

Buildbase Suzuki has announced Gino Rea will join its team for this weekend’s British Superbike Championship round at Snetterton, replacing the injured Keith Farmer, while Tom Ward lands the vacant seat at Bike Devil Kawasaki.

An accident during the 2020 BSB opener at Donington Park left Farmer with an injured shoulder, marking the latest setback for the Ulsterman having sat out most of the 2019 BSB season with a broken leg.

Rea’s appointment comes after announcing he had exited the Bike Devil Racing team after a single round, in which he picked up a best result of 12th. It will be a return to Suzuki machinery for Rea, who competed with OMG Racing in 2018.

“Obviously first and foremost I want to wish Keith well; it’s never nice to see a rider injured and especially to see him coming back from injury and be sidelined again so soon, so I wish him all the best. For me, I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with a professional and experienced team in this paddock.

“I’ve got one full year of BSB under my belt and last year I had a few one off rides, so I’m hoping the chance to work with the Buildbase Suzuki team will give me the chance to show what I can do. I’ve got past experience with the GSX-R so hopefully that base will mean we can get off to a good start this weekend.”

Rea’s departure has resulted in Bike Devil Racing hiring Superstock 1000 standout Ward for his BSB debut at Snetterton this weekend.

“I am really excited for this opportunity as I have always been part of my own team and so everything was always down to me to improve,” Ward said. “To be able to work with a full team and with PJ [Pete Jennings] as a crew chief is a big opportunity for me.

"I haven’t ridden since March so I am under no illusions that it will be a big learning weekend especially as I have never tested a Superbike, but this is a great chance and when one door closes another opens. I can’t wait to get started.”