Santander Salt TAG Yamaha withdraws from 2020 BSB

The Santander Salt TAG Yamaha team has announced it is withdrawing from the remainder of the 2020 British Superbike Championship with a view to making a full return in 2021.

The team headed into the delayed 2020 BSB season sporting a revised rider line-up after British Supersport Champion Jack Kennedy was signed to join Dan Linfoot on the latest generation Yamaha R1.

However, it has been a tough start to the year for the team with only a handful of points between them to show from the opening two events at Donington Park and Snetterton.

As such, it will slim to focus on its Superstock 1000 operation for the time being but has confirmed plans to return to BSB in 2021 by announcing Linfoot has re-signed for next season. In the meantime he will switch to the Bathams BMW for the remainder of the Superstock 1000 season.

“I’m delighted to be able to stay with the team for a third year, although this may come as a surprise to many after our withdrawal for the rest of this season but I love working with the team and I’m excited for what the future has in store for us.
 
“Due to our withdrawal for the remainder of this season this naturally led to a conversation regarding 2021 where both I and the team were pleased to agree to compete in Bennetts BSB again next season with a different package under neath me.
 
“They’ve been behind me all through the tough times and actively encouraged me to go and race with another team for the remainder for this season, which I am extremely grateful for and looking forward to being at the front again. I’m also fully behind the team’s decision to withdraw for the remainder of the season, and I’m confident that next season we can be back to be where we all know I and the team can be.
 
“It’s nice to know what I will be doing next season but at this point my main focus is on coming back in 2021 a stronger rider and showing what we can do together.”

Kennedy, meanwhile, is yet to determine his immediate racing plans having been made an offer to remain with TAG Yamaha for 2021 and has the option to join another outfit for the remainder of this season.

“2020 has been strange in many ways and this season definitely hasn't panned out as I had planned. It's a tough situation, and not one I've been in before but it seems a good solution and I think it gives everyone the benefit of working towards the same goal.  
“My team, Santander  Salt TAG Racing, have taken a tough decision and to be fair, they have been pretty decent to me.  They've also shown great belief in me as a rider by giving me a lifeline to stand in with another team for the remainder of this season and an offer to ride for them again in 2021.”