Billy McConnell will remain with the OMG Racing team in the 2020 Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Championship as he lines up a title charge after recovering from an injury-hampered 2019.
The 33-year-old was a podium finisher in 2018, but had his season hampered by a burst appendix at Oulton Park, which ruled him out for almost half of the season. Despite this, McConnell returned to qualify in P4 on his return at Snetterton before following that up with pole position at Thruxton, which he converted to his first podium of the season.
After Luke Mossey sustained an injury at Cadwell Park, McConnell was given the opportunity to return to the Superbike class and he seized the opportunity with an impressive P10 in race two. However, his return was cut short at Oulton Park after he suffered an unfortunate crash, which resulted in a broken collarbone.
McConnell said: “I’m really excited to be back with the OMG Racing family for 2020, they’ve been amazing since I joined last year and there’s a huge amount of love and respect for everyone in the team. I’m looking forward to having another shot at the National Superstock 1000 Championship on the new BMW S1000RR, what can I say – It’s going to be a weapon!
“I’ve got the winter now to get fit and shake off the last few issues from my illness and injuries in 2019, I can put those behind me and move on to what should be a really competitive title battle next season.”
Team Principal Paul Curran said: “We’re thrilled to retain Billy for the 2020 season and to announce that he’ll be back on a Superstock 1000 bike. Despite a difficult 2019, he was always upbeat and his positivity really rubs off on the team, he’s a fantastic guy to work with.
“The new BMW should allow him to ride to his limits and really assert himself as one of the title contenders for the 2020 Championship. After his injuries last season, I think Billy feels like he has some unfinished business in the series and he’s proven he can beat the best at this level when he’s at full fitness.”
OMG Racing Founder Alan Gardner commented: “Billy is a phenomenal rider who can ride the wheels off anything that you put him on, so keeping him as part of the OMG family in 2020 was one of the easiest decisions I’ve had to make. It was a tough 2019 for him and for us as a team around him, we all felt his disappointment at not being able to ride for almost half of the season because he just loves racing.
“We know that the whole OMG family will be delighted to hear that he’s staying with us in 2020! I’ve got no doubt that 2020 will see Billy back at his tyre-smoking, race-winning best. And more importantly, we’ll see more of that smile!”