Not really tbh given the interview he gave on that podcast and how Bird hadn’t had any contact with either rider to confirm his promise they both had a ride this year.
I did a really similar thread before christmas on this, well, focussed on Visiontrack Ducati but essentially they are the key piece to the puzzle. I'm not surprised by Iddon getting kicked out tbh, I think Brookes will stay, or he will fall out with Birdie horrifically and we will not see him again in the UK. So the only remaining seat is PBM right? I would like to see Haslam in the seat, not at the expense of young talent, but because he's a fighter, and good to watch. Personally I think Sykes going there would be like the bad old days of putting Jeremy McWilliams on the Stobart Honda and regardless of how good or bad the bike was, it was cringe to watch. Haslam also was BSB champ only a few years ago in reality and has even tested a BSB spec bike recently so that's my bet, given Birdie wants winners and they would both be expensive, it would be the safest choice
Not sure if TAG Racing will be running a second rider opposite Luke Mossey given their woes last season and I don’t see Black Onyx having the funds to run a second bike. Those are the only teams running satellite Hondas currently showing on the teams list. Andy
No ducati for Haslam. He’s off to Kawasaki. Lee Hardy racing..,is that the old Bournemouth racing team? Looks same livery
That’s the rumour https://www.motorsport.com/wsbk/news/sykes-british-superbike-pedercini-haslam/8072103/amp/
Got to be the last 2 seats hasn't it. Sykes and Brookes at PBM. Don't write him off, nearly 2 times wsbk champion... lost by 0.5 points 2nd time, knows the UK tracks (albeit will need a refresh) and the best qualifier......
Imho Redding is a far better rider and smooth as fuck. Be interesting to see how he copes when vickers bangs him into one of the Irwins at 160 at Thruxton
Maybe, but Redding has a lesser record than Sykes. I think people forget how good Tom was when he was on it. Let’s see
He had a great crew and bike and once he had a decent rider alongside was in trouble. Allegedly Kawasaki used lots of special frames, which were massively against the spirit of the championship if not illegal mostly, that gave competitive advantage by making it more prototype than production (quote a lot was written about it at that time) One thing that may work well for him is just how good he is on the brakes. Tight tracks where overtaking is in the absolute edge may be a strength for him. Who knows. Personally, after his recent head bang scare, I think retirement would have been a better bet.
