James Haydon is ruled out through injury and after the unprecedented events at Croft circuit last week the team has taken the decision to run with just one rider at Knockhill.
The team attended an official MCRCB test session last week at Croft circuit in North Yorkshire where thieves stole two race bikes from a locked garage overnight. Fortunately the bikes were recovered within 48 hours from farmland adjacent to the circuit. Police investigations are ongoing and the team has called for a significant upgrade in the level of security at race meetings and tests.
Robert Wicks, Team Manager, said: “After the rather bizarre events last week at Croft, there’s been an enormous amount of work to get through just to prepare two race bikes in time for Knockhill. It’s going to be peculiar having just the one rider out there but under the circumstances this is the right move for the weekend.
“Rizla, Suzuki GB and all our other partners have been very supportive of the situation and everyone is delighted that we have been able to recover the bikes. We will definitely be fielding two riders at Oulton Park on 23 July and will be making an announcement on the second rider early next week.”
Looking forward to this weekend, Shakey said: “The weather forecast is good for this weekend which is a bonus when you visit Knockhill. It’s one of the most frantic and exciting circuits we visit and the crowd is well up for the racing, I hope I can give them something to cheer about.
“Being the only Rizla Suzuki racer on the track doesn’t bother me at all. I have the whole team backing me and that will give me the best chance possible. We’ve just come off a successful test at Croft and I think I have a good chance to do well this weekend.”
Superbike racing starts at 1300 on Sunday 16th July at Knockhill in Fife, Scotland. The racing will be televised on ITV1 at 1500 and on Sky Sports 2 at 2100.
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