Chrissy Rouse is set for a full debut season in the 2022 Bennetts British Superbike Championship as he returns to BMW power with Crowe Performance.
The Geordie maths teacher has joined forces with the team, which helped power him to the 2020 Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Championship win as he embarks on his first full season in the world’s leading domestic motorcycle racing series.
In 2020, Rouse’s season was saved at the eleventh hour when TT and roads rider Phil Crowe stepped in to help build and loan him a BMW from his Lincolnshire workshop, which Rouse rode to the crown.
Now, the 26-year-old who lives just outside Newcastle-upon-Tyne, is set to pilot a new BMW M 1000 RR, prepared by Crowe Performance.
Rouse said: “We are going to be running a very similar set-up to what we had in 2020, with our own team running a Crowe Performance BMW. I know it is going to be a huge commitment but I’m really excited and both mine and the team’s aim this year is to just get stuck in and do our best.
“I’m under no illusions and know this is going to be a massive step-up for all of us. We have lots of things still to get sorted out before the first round but I’m confident we are in a good position.
“Although we don’t have a title sponsor, we have a consortium of loyal original personal sponsors along with some new partners coming on board, more of which we plan to reveal in the coming weeks.”
As 2020 Superstock 1000 and 2013 Triumph Triple Challenge champion, Rouse knows 2022 offers the perfect opportunity to make the step-up to the prestigious Bennetts BSB class full time. He rode a handful of Superbike races for the Halsall Racing Team back in 2018 before being sidelined with injury but is now ready for the full time move.
Rouse added: “It has always been my dream to get to British Superbikes and I feel that this is the perfect time in my life and career to make that step.
“This is something I’ve been planning and working towards for a long time and I’m delighted to be making this next part of my journey with Crowe Performance once again. I know it’s going to be hard but I am really looking forward to building on the success we had together in 2020.”
Phil Crowe, Director at Crowe Performance, is thrilled to once again be working with Rouse and is excited to be moving into the prestigious series. He commented: “We have been involved with Chrissy for many years now, we had worked with him well before our 2020 championship win together and he really is part of the Crowe Performance family.
“The team is delighted to be able to partner up with him again to help him advance in his racing career.
“Not only does he have a lot of talent, his dedication and professionalism are truly admirable. We are looking forward to learning the ropes in the Superbike class together and hopefully establish ourselves in that class into the future.”