Ryan Vickers will make a surprise WorldSBK Championship debut this weekend after being tapped by Team Pedercini Racing for Round 6 of the season at Most Autodrom, Czech Republic.
The Norfolk youngster - currently in the midst of a British Superbike Championship campaign with FHO Racing - gets the shot in place of fellow BSB racer Leon Haslam, who was forced to withdraw from the event due to clashing Suzuka 8 Hours testing commitments.
One of the youngest riders competing in BSB, the 23-year old is nevertheless one of the more experienced riders on the grid. Promoted directly to BSB after winning the 2018 Superstock 600 Championship, Vickers spent three seasons with Lee Hardy Racing before switching to FHO BMW this year.
His debut with Pedercini Racing this weekend means both FHO Racing riders will be heading out to the Czech Republic, with Vickers’ team-mate Peter Hickman set to ride the factory BMW in place of the injured Michael van der Mark.
However, whereas Hickman will remain on familiar BMW machinery, Vickers will swap his M 1000 RR for a Kawasaki ZX-10RR - the bike he raced with Lee Hardy Racing - in Most.
“I’m really excited about this weekend to be joining Team Pedercini Racing for a Wildcard opportunity at Most. It’s always been a goal of mine to eventually race in World Superbike and to get this little taster is amazing, so a big thank you to Lucio, Guim and everyone else involved.
“Also thanks to Faye Ho for allowing me to take this opportunity! I’m going to enjoy this weekend and learn as much as I can from the experience. See you in Most”
Though likened as among BSB’s front runners, Vickers is still eyeing his first podium in the class with his best result peaking in fourth position after three and a half seasons of racing.
Haslam, who is participating in a handful of events for Pedercini Kawasaki this season alongside his commitments in BSB, the Suzuka 8 Hours and now also in Germany’s IDM Superbike series, is set to return to the seat after the summer break at Portimao.
