Rea departs Bike Devil Racing to replace Farmer at Buildbase Suzuki

Gino Rea will switch to the Buildbase Suzuki team for the second round of the 2020 British Superbike Championship at Snetterton this weekend, with Tom Ward assuming his vacated seat at Bike Devil Racing.

Rea announced on Monday [17 August] that he was leaving Bike Devil Racing after just a single round, before today’s confirmation he will be on the Buildbase Suzuki alongside Kyle Ryde for the Norfolk event.

Rea’s call up comes after original signing Keith Farmer was left nursing a shoulder injury in an accident at the Donington Park season opener. The event was set to be his first in almost a year having been forced to sit out much of 2019 with a leg injury.

It will be a return to Suzuki machinery for Rea, who made his BSB debut with OMG Racing in 2018 when it previously ran privateer GSXR-1000R bikes.

“Obviously first and foremost I want to wish Keith well; it’s never nice to see a rider injured and especially to see him coming back from injury and be sidelined again so soon, so I wish him all the best. For me, I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with a professional and experienced team in this paddock.

“I’ve got one full year of BSB under my belt and last year I had a few one off rides, so I’m hoping the chance to work with the Buildbase Suzuki team will give me the chance to show what I can do. I’ve got past experience with the GSX-R so hopefully that base will mean we can get off to a good start this weekend.”

Rea’s seat at Bike Devil Racing – which is running Kawasaki machinery in 2019 having originally planned to use Ducati bikes – will be assumed by Superstock 1000 podium winner Tom Ward

“I am really excited for this opportunity as I have always been part of my own team and so everything was always down to me to improve,” Ward said. “To be able to work with a full team and with PJ [Pete Jennings] as a crew chief is a big opportunity for me.

“I haven’t ridden since March so I am under no illusions that it will be a big learning weekend especially as I have never tested a Superbike, but this is a great chance and when one door closes another opens. I can’t wait to get started.”