Da Costa steps in for injured O'Halloran at Honda

Triple Endurance World champion Julien Da Costa will fill in for the injured Jason O'Halloran in MCE British Superbikes at Oulton Park.

The Frenchman, who is Honda Racing's contracted reserve rider, joined Havier Beltran's team at a test session at Snetterton earlier in the year and is a familiar face to the BSB paddock. He is set to replace O'Halloran on the Honda CBR1000RR at the Cheshire track in two weeks time.

It is also understood that Da Costa is likely to act as stand in for the Australian when required for the remainder of the season while he recovers from leg injuries sustained at Thruxton.

"I'm really looking forward to coming back to BSB again it's just a shame that it's in the circumstance it is with Jason being injured," Da Costa said, having recently finished fifth with Honda Endurance Racing CBR in the Oschersleben 8 Hours. "Oulton Park is probably one of the most difficult circuits in the championship, so I know it won't be easy but I will do my best for Jason and also the team. I think we can use the opportunity to try some different settings and continue the development work of the Fireblade."

Da Costa finished seventh in the 2009 MCE British Superbike championship while competing for MSS Kawasaki and also made a number of wildcard entries with Honda last season.

Team manager Beltran is happy to welcome the French rider into his squad again despite the difficult situation and is looking forward to Da Costa's help in developing the Honda challenger.

"Da Costa's got a lot of experience and knows the Fireblade well from his time developing it last year, so it will be good to work with him again and get his ideas and thoughts," Beltran said. "It is a shame in the circumstances that he joins us, with Jason recovering from his injuries, but Julien is contracted with the team for situations as this. We know he'll do a good job for us and we look forward to having him in the team for the next round."