2010 British Superbikes - Provisional signings
The provisional entry list for the 2010 MCE British Superbike season continues to take shape following a series of key announcements, with 22 riders set to make the grid at the Brands Hatch curtain raiser.
Although the start of the season remains more than two months away, 18 riders are already confirmed to be competing in the main championship class, while a further four will partake in the brand-new Evo category.
While the loss of champions GSE Yamaha has left as a significant gap to fill, HM Plant Honda did their bit to lessen the blow by not only confirming its involvement, but also luring its two-time champion Ryuichi Kiyonari back from the world championship.
Together with the likes of Yukio Kagayama and Neil Hodgson, a number of former race winners will be making their presence felt again in the new decade.
Relentless Suzuki has also confirmed its full line-up by welcoming back Michael Laverty, while James Ellison is being linked with a return to Hydrex Honda alongside Stuart Easton.
Other notable entries have come from Ultimate Racing's Peter Hickman, who joins Quay Garaga Honda and Tommy Bridewell in graduating to the championship class. Additionally, Steve Heneghan, Gary Johnson and Kenny Gilbertson have bolstered the Evo ranks with their entries.
The current list of riders (subject to change) is as follows:
1. Ryuichi Kiyonari JPN HM Plant Honda
2. Josh Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda
3. Yukio Kagayama JPN Worx Crescent Suzuki
4. Tommy Hill GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki
5. Simon Andrews GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki
6. Gary Mason GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki
7. Stuart Easton GBR Hydrex Honda
8. Alastair Seeley IRL Relentless Suzuki
9. Michael Laverty GBR Relentless Suzuki
10. Neil Hodgson GBR Motorpoint Yamaha
11. Dan Linfoot GBR Motorpoint Yamaha
12. John Laverty IRL Buildbase Kawasaki
13. Adam Jenkinson GBR Buildbase Kawasaki
14. Michael Rutter GBR RidersMotorcycles.com Ducati
15. Martin Jessopp GBR RidersMotorcycles.com Ducati
16. Tommy Bridewell GBR Quay Garage Honda
17. Patrick McDougall IRL East Coast Yamaha
18. Peter Hickman GBR Ultimate Yamaha
19. Scott Smart GBR Moto Rapido Ducati *
20. Steve Heneghan IRL Quattro Plant Honda *
21. Gary Johnson GBR AIM Suzuki *
22. Kenny Gilbertson GBR Magic Bullet Two Wheel Suzuki *
* Evo class
