Ash Barnes joins forces with Rapid Honda to complete the 2025 season in the Pirelli National Superstock Championship.
Barnes has been a contender in the Pirelli National Sportsbike Championship, having also competed in the Quattro Group British Supersport Championship, claiming top 10 finishes.
Barnes said: “I’m really looking forward to the last three rounds, it will be a new challenge learning a new bike but I’m excited to get stuck in. It will be a fresh start for me however, Matt, Claire and my new Crew Chief Dave have already made me feel very welcome with Rapid Honda and I’m super grateful for the opportunity.
“Donington will be my first time out on the bike so it will be nice to hear the feedback from the team, especially as they have past experience of the Honda Fireblade. I’m looking forward to absorbing as much information as possible and doing the best job I can.”
For Rapid Honda it is a return to the class where they have previously been race winners in recent seasons with Franco Bourne and Tim Neave. Barnes will join the team alongside Harley McCabe and Lennon Docherty, who both compete in the Pirelli National Sportsbike Championship.
Team Owner Matt Bainbridge commented: “We are really excited to have Ash joining Rapid Honda for the remainder of the 2025 season. He is a very talented rider and there are many benefits and links between Rapid Honda and Ash, that we feel will make the partnership work and be successful.
“Ash fits perfectly with our ethos of helping young talent develop and progress and we will be supporting him every way we can during these final three rounds. It will be a busy end of the season with three riders but we can’t wait to get started.”