James Ellison takes over from convicted Kent for MV Agusta BSB bid

James Ellison returns to the British Superbike Championship grid for the final four rounds of the season after being snapped up as the full-time replacement for Danny Kent at Bike Devil Sweda MV Agusta.

The BSB veteran – a 15-time race winner and former MotoGP rider – began the 2019 season with Smiths Racing on a BMW S1000RR but struggled to adapt to the new-generation model, bowing out of the team after round seven at Thruxton.

However, he has received a career lifeline from the burgeoning Bike Devil Sweda team, which only entered the series from round six but found itself at the centre of unexpected attention when it emerged its original signing – 2015 Moto3 World Champion Kent – had been convicted for knife possession and given a suspended sentence on the eve of the eighth BSB round at Cadwell Park.

With Kent dropped immediately from the team’s line up, ex-WorldSSP rider Gino Rea stepped in at late notice and performed well on the MV Agusta F4RR, claiming the team’s first points with a run to 12th. For the remainder of the season though it is Ellison that will take over on the Italian machine.

“I am really excited to get the opportunity to get out on the BSB grid again with the MV Agusta team. We managed to get a few laps in at Donington Park just to get the basics like the handlebars and seat positions comfy before Oulton Park, so a big thank you to MSVT.

“The initial feeling on the bike is good so I’m looking forward to getting back out on it with the rest of the grid. I’ve had a lot of great support from my personal sponsors who have all stuck by me what has been a difficult month including our local MV Dealer Powerslide Motorcycles so huge thanks to all who have been involved. Now we look forward to getting back on track.”

“It is great to sign a rider of James’ calibre to the team for the final rounds of the season,” added team owner Dave Tyson. “James rode the original F4 1000 development bike so to be back on the MV Agusta and with Bike Devil again is a great story. For us James is a proven race winner, bringing a wealth of experience to the team and definitely a point to prove. I am sure that together we can have a very successful end to the year and build on what we have learnt already.”