The TT’s fastest ever newcomer Peter Hickman has been confirmed in the GBmoto Kawasaki team for next year’s Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy as well as other international road races and the British Superbike Championship. The Louth rider will compete on the latest factory-backed ZX-10R machinery under the JG Speedfit banner
‘Hicky’, who clinched his maiden win on the international stage at the Ulster Grand Prix in August, joins James Ellison in the team’s BSB line-up but will spearhead GBmoto Racing’s roads challenge on his own as the team, which tackled the big road race meetings for the first time this year with Lincolnshire rider Gary Johnson, challenges for a coveted victory between the hedges.
“I’m really pleased to be joining Mark [Smith-Halvorsen] and the GBmoto squad again. They’re an incredibly professional outfit and with the factory support from Kawasaki, coupled with the awesome new ZX-10R, it’s the best package on the grid,” said Hickman, who previously rode for GBmoto in the British championship in 2013.
“I’m really looking forward to getting the Kawasaki out on the roads,” he added. “It will be the first time I’ve ridden a different bike at the North West, TT and Ulster, but the new Superbike is an absolute weapon on paper and with factory support, I see no reason why it won’t relate to the track.”
He continued: “To get the first win this year was incredible, and although it takes a lot of luck I definitely think we’ll be able to challenge at the front in 2016.”
GBmoto Racing recently announced a three-year deal as Kawasaki’s official British Superbike and international road racing team and is set to benefit from increased factory support, working closely with Kawasaki’s World Superbike team next season.
Team principal Mark Smith-Halvorsen said Hickman was a ‘rare breed’ capable of winning races in both disciplines of the sport.
“On the roads side of things, we’re under no illusions as to how tough it is to run at the front and secure a podium,” he said.
“It will be only our second year competing between the hedges, but Peter has shown his incredible talent, remaining the fastest ever newcomer to the TT as well as setting the eighth fastest lap in history around the course and also securing an Ulster Grand Prix win in only his second year.”
“We’ll approach the three events with the same professionalism and enthusiasm as we do for everything and with increased support from Kawasaki, I’m confident that we’ll be able to have a very strong showing.”
“I’m really pleased to have Peter back with the team for 2016. Over the last couple of years he’s proven to be one of the rare breed of riders who is capable of not only running at the front of the MCE British Superbike Championship but also compete for glory on the roads,” added Smith-Halvorsen.”
