The Bennetts British Superbike Championship launches back into action this Easter weekend (April 7/8/9) as the hunt for title glory in Britain’s biggest motorsport series begins at Silverstone.
The eleven round season kicks off with 28 contenders lining up for the first three races of 2023, as the battle begins with the BikeSocial Sprint Race, giving the first indications of this year’s front-runners on Saturday before the two feature races on Sunday.
Two previous Champions are lining up to regain the crown in 2023 as double title-winner Josh Brookes features with FHO BMW Motorrad and Leon Haslam sealed a late return to the series with the new ROKiT BMW Motorrad Team.
They are not the only title winners to star ahead of the new season with four Support Class Champions stepping up Superbike – the most in the series history. Quattro Group British Supersport and GP2 Champions Jack Kennedy and Jack Scott prepare for the new campaign with the Mar-Train Yamaha and Rapid CDH Racing Kawasaki teams respectively.
Pirelli National Superstock Champion Davey Todd is set for his first full season in the premier class as the Milenco by Padgetts Motorcycles Honda team returns to the Superbike class. Meanwhile Max Cook, the reigning Pirelli Junior Superstock Champion, joins Lee Jackson at Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki.
Twelve previous race winners will be heading into the opening round bidding for more silverware, including last year’s title runner-up Glenn Irwin and third-placed Tommy Bridewell as the pair team up at BeerMonster Ducati after their battle for the title last season.
There is familiarity in the McAMS Yamaha team as Jason O'Halloran returns, the Australian joined by rookie Tim Neave, whilst Andrew Irwin has moved back to Honda Racing UK where he had previous success alongside previous Superstock Champion Tom Neave.
Reigning Champions LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha will be determined to defend their title as Kyle Ryde bids to emulate Bradley Ray’s success in 2022. Ryan Vickers, who is also a previous Junior Superstock Champion, joins Ryde in the team as he strives for success with Yamaha.
Christian Iddon is back with Ducati following his switch to the Oxford Products Racing Ducati team and former MotoGP rider Héctor Barberá returns to Bennetts BSB after joining TAG Racing Honda.
Meanwhile this season also sees the rise of the rookies into Bennetts BSB with six riders debuting, including Todd, Cook, Scott, Tim Neave and Lee Hardy Racing Kawasaki’s Bradley Perie after his success in the Supersport series. Charlie Nesbitt completes the rookie line up as he joins the new-look Hawk team in MasterMac Honda by Hawk Racing colours.
Josh Owens is also in a new look team for 2023 on the opposite side of the Hawk Racing garage, running in Crendon Honda by Hawk Racing colours, and Storm Stacey will also feature in new livery onboard the Starline Racing Kawasaki.
The Lovell Kent Racing Honda team will make their first race appearance since joining Bennetts BSB over the winter as previous Moto3 World Champion Danny Kent aims to add to his previous podium visit.
Whilst there are new Hondas in the grid line-up, the BMW attack is strengthened by Peter Hickman on the second FHO Racing BMW Motorrad M 1000 RR and SYNETIQ BMW retained race winner Danny Buchan for the new season. Luke Mossey also is back with BMW power, returning with the Tactix by Lloyd & Jones BMW team.
Back for more in 2023 is roads ace Dean Harrison on the DAO Racing Kawasaki, with the Team Green line-up also including Liam Delves on the second Rapid CDH Racing Kawasaki and Luke Hopkins on the NP Motorcycles Kawasaki.