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Biographical rider entry list for BSB in 2015


© Glynne Lewis

By Dan Moakes
June 5 2015

Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne aims to defend his British Superbike title in 2015 and win the crown for the fifth time in his career; but he will face heated competition from the likes of Ryuichi Kiyonari, Josh Brookes, James Ellison and others in a large and experienced field.

The 2015 British Superbike Championship:
Superbike racing in Britain frequently provides some of the best and most competitive motorsport action in the world, and the performances of UK riders in World Superbike racing go to prove that there is no shortage of talent emerging from the ‘BSB’ series. As well as home grown racers, the championship has also attracted some top men from overseas, which means that over the years there have been BSB race winners from Japan, Australia, Spain, France and the US.

In 2015 there will be an excellent mix of youthful and experienced talent racing in BSB: There have been quite a few changes in the rider line-up for this season, with a packed list of entrants and plenty of new or returning faces. There will be sixteen overseas riders taking part, including seven men from Australia and six Europeans; and there will be twelve riders with BSB race wins on their CVs, headed by multi-title winning Shane Byrne and Ryuichi Kiyonari. Kawasaki, BMW, Yamaha, Suzuki and Honda riders all won races last season, so there are plenty of opportunities for all those involved, and it is already shaping up to be another great season. Here are the essential biographical details on who’s who among the current riders.

Michael Rutter, England
age 42 · BSB début 1992
racing number: 19
BSB wins: 28 1995-2010 (Ducati, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki)
BSB podium results: 107 · BSB pole positions: 17 · BSB fastest laps: 25
best season in BSB: 2nd 2002, 2004
best WSB race result: 3rd 1997
best GP race result: 11th 1999 (500cc)
Additional: Road racing success including several wins at the Macau Grand Prix and North West 200, plus thirteen podium results at the Isle of Man TT, including wins in the 1998 600cc Junior race and the TT Zero electric races in 2011, 2012 and 2013

Chris Walker, England
age 43 · BSB début 1995
racing number: 9
BSB wins: 21 1997-2012 (Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki)
BSB podium results: 73 · BSB pole positions: 11 · BSB fastest laps: 11
best season in BSB: 2nd 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000
WSB wins: 1 2006
best GP result: 12th 2001 (500cc)
Champion: National 250cc 1995
Additional: World Endurance race winner at the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1999; twelve World Superbike podium results in total, sixth overall in 2003; twice winner of the Mallory Park Race of Year

Shane Byrne, England
age 38 · BSB début 1999
racing number: 67
BSB wins: 61 2002-2014 (Ducati, Suzuki, Honda, Kawasaki)
BSB podium results: 139 · BSB pole positions: 21 · BSB fastest laps: 47
BSB Champion: 2003, 2008, 2012, 2014
WSB wins: 2 2003
best GP result: 10th 2004 (MotoGP)
Champion: British Superbike Cup 2001
Additional: World Superbike experience includes as a wildcard double race winner, and with eighth overall in 2009

Howie Mainwaring, England
age 28 · BSB début 2003
racing number: 43
BSB wins: 1 2014 (Kawasaki)
BSB podium results: 2
best season in BSB: 14th= 2014 · 4th in BSB Cup 2006
Champion: Junior Road Racing Association 1999
Additional: Intermittent BSB career, but also a regular in National Superstock, winning at Oulton Park in 2007

James Ellison, England
age 34 · BSB début 2004
racing number: 77
BSB wins: 9 2009-2013 (Yamaha, Honda)
BSB podium results: 44 · BSB pole positions: 1 · BSB fastest laps: 13
best season in BSB: 2nd 2009
best WSB race result: 4th 2008
best GP result: 9th 2006 (MotoGP)
Champion: Newcomers’ Honda CB500 Cup 1998 · European Superstock 2000, 2001 · British Superbike Cup 2004
Additional: Raced successfully for the 2003 title-winning team in World Endurance, with second place four times; best result of fifth in AMA Superbike racing, at Road America in 2007; podium results in World Supersport

Ryuichi Kiyonari, Japan
age 32 · BSB début 2004
racing number: 23
BSB wins: 50 2004-2014 (Honda, BMW)
BSB podium results: 94 · BSB pole positions: 10 · BSB fastest laps: 38
BSB Champion: 2006, 2007, 2010
WSB wins: 3 2008
best GP result: 11th 2003 (MotoGP)
Champion: All-Japan Supersport (ST600) 2002 · Asian Road Racing 600cc 2012
Additional: Four Endurance wins at the Suzuka 8 Hours race for Honda; World Superbikes ninth overall in 2008

Stuart Easton, Scotland
age 30 · BSB début 2004
racing number: 5
BSB wins: 3 2009-2010 (Honda)
BSB podium results: 25 · BSB pole positions: 1 · BSB fastest laps: 2
best season in BSB: 3rd 2009
best WSB race result: 18th 2009
best GP result: 20th 2000 (125cc)
Champion: British Supersport 2002, 2013
Additional: British championship race wins at 125cc and 250cc level - in 2000 third overall in 125, and in 2001 fourth overall in 250; road racing victories at the Macau Grand Prix

Michael Laverty, Northern Ireland
age 33 · BSB début 2005
racing number: 7
BSB wins: 7 2010-2012 (Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda)
BSB podium results: 29 · BSB pole positions: 2 · BSB fastest laps: 10
best season in BSB: 4th 2010, 2011
best GP result: 12th 2014 (MotoGP)
Champion: Irish Supermoto 2001, 2002 · British Supersport 2007
Additional: European Superstock race winner, at Assen in 2002; best result of second in AMA Superbike racing, at Road America in 2009

David Johnson, Australia
age 32 · BSB début 2005
racing number: 16
best BSB race result: 9th
best season in BSB: 19th= 2008 · 6th in BSB Evo 2010
best WSB race result: 19th 2012
Champion: Australian 125cc 2000
Additional: Road racing competitor with best result of fourth at the Isle of Man TT, in the 2014 Superstock race; regular in British Superstock racing, with several podium results

Billy McConnell, Australia
age 28 · BSB début 2006
racing number: 3
best BSB race result: 6th
best season in BSB: 12th 2008
Champion: Yamaha R6 Cup 2005 · British Supersport 2014
Additional: Race winner in the National Superstock Cup (UK) in 2004

Peter Hickman, England
age 27 · BSB début 2006
racing number: 60
BSB wins: 1 2014 (Honda)
BSB podium results: 2
best season in BSB: 9th 2011 · 2nd in BSB Cup 2009
best WSB race result: 9th 2012
Champion: National Superstock Cup 2004
Additional: National Superstock podium finisher and third overall in 2008; road racing at the Isle of Man TT in 2014, with a best result of eighth in Superstock

Ian Hutchinson, England
age 35 · BSB début 2007
racing number: 66
best BSB race result: 11th
best season in BSB: 23rd 2007
Additional: Road racing success including eight Isle of Man TT wins, five of them at the 2010 event, plus other events such as the North West 200; race winner in British Supersport and sixth overall in 2009; race winner in National Superstock and sixth overall in 2006

Aaron Zanotti, England
age 33 · BSB début 2007
racing number: 64
best BSB race result: 11th
best season in BSB: 26th 2007 · 5th in BSB Evo 2010
best WSB race result: 16th 2007
Champion: Superteen 1999
Additional: Best result of fifth in the British 250cc series, in 2001; second overall in the National Superstock series in 2006, with a best result of second place twice

Martin Jessopp, England
age 29 · BSB début 2007
racing number: 40
best BSB race result: 4th
BSB fastest laps: 1
best season in BSB: 11th 2011 · 2nd in BSB Cup 2008
Additional: Top ten results in World Endurance in 2003; road racing in the Macau Grand Prix and at the Isle of Man TT

Tommy Bridewell, England
age 26 · BSB début 2007
racing number: 46
BSB wins: 1 2014 (Yamaha)
BSB podium results: 12 · BSB fastest laps: 2
best season in BSB: 3rd 2014
best WSB race result: 18th 2010
best GP result: 27th 2004 (125cc)
Additional: Fourth overall in the British 125cc series in 2003, with a win at Mondello Park; third overall in the Yamaha R6 Cup in 2005, with four race wins

Victor Cox, England
age 29 · BSB début 2008
racing number: 28
best BSB race result: 16th
best season in BSB: no points scored
Additional: Raced in the Yamaha R6 Cup, with a win at Brands Hatch in 2003; British Superstock experience

Jason O’Halloran, Australia
age 27 · BSB début 2008
racing number: 22
best BSB race result: 7th
best season in BSB: 19th 2009
best GP result: 25th 2013 (Moto2)
Champion: GP80 Masters Junior Road Racing 2002 · Australian Supersport 2007
Additional: Top six results in World Endurance racing; podium results in British Supersport and National Superstock (UK)

Broc Parkes, Australia
age 33 · BSB début 2009
racing number: 2
best BSB race result: 2nd
BSB podium results: 3 · BSB fastest laps: 1
best season in BSB: 17th 2009
best WSB race result: 5th 2001
best GP result: 11th 2014 (MotoGP)
Champion: Australian FX Superbike 2013
Additional: Six race wins in World Supersport, and overall runner-up in 2004 and 2007; podium results in World Endurance racing

Richard Cooper, England
age 32 · BSB début 2009
racing number: 47
best BSB race result: 2nd
BSB podium results: 1
best season in BSB: 16th 2014
best WSB race result: DNF 2009
Champion: National Superstock 2011
Additional: Race winner in British Supersport in 2013, and sixth overall in 2012

Josh Brookes, Australia
age 31 · BSB début 2009
racing number: 25
BSB wins: 20 2010-2014 (Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha)
BSB podium results: 76 · BSB pole positions: 10 · BSB fastest laps: 25
best season in BSB: 2nd 2010, 2012
best WSB race result: 7th 2007
best GP result: 18th 2000 (125cc)
Champion: Australian Supersport 2001, 2005 · Australian Superbike 2005
Additional: World Supersport race winner in 2004 and 2008; World Endurance, with top four results at the Suzuka 8 Hours race; Isle of Man TT competitor in 2013-14, with a best result of 7th in the Senior race; a podium finisher in British Supersport, with 3rd at Brands Hatch in 2008

Dan Linfoot, England
age 26 · BSB début 2009
racing number: 4
best BSB race result: 3rd
BSB podium results: 1 · BSB fastest laps: 2
best season in BSB: 5th 2014
best GP result: 9th 2005 (125cc) & 2007 (250cc)
Additional: a European 250cc race winner, at Vallelunga in 2006; twice a European Superstock 600 race winner in 2008; fourth overall in the British 125cc series in 2005, with second place four times, and two race wins in the 2006 series; seventh overall in British Supersport in 2009, with a best of third place twice

Christian Iddon, England
age 30 · BSB début 2010
racing number: 24
best BSB race result: 5th
BSB pole positions: 1
best season in BSB: 28th 2010
best WSB race result: 9th (disqualified) 2014
Champion: British Supermoto nine titles in total
Additional: Race winner in British Supersport, and fourth overall in 2012

Joe Burns, England
age 22 · BSB début 2010
racing number: 53
best BSB race result: DNF
best season in BSB: no points scored
Additional: Top six results in National Superstock 600, and similar experience in the 1000 series

Jenny Tinmouth, England
age 35 · BSB début 2011
racing number: 20
best BSB race result: 15th
best season in BSB: 30th= 2013
Additional: Fourth on the Isle of Man in the 2010 TT Zero electric race; second overall in the British Supersport Cup in 2010; raced in British 125cc series, with a best result of seventh

James Westmoreland, England
age 26 · BSB début 2011
racing number: 6
best BSB race result: 4th
BSB pole positions: 1 · BSB fastest laps: 2
best season in BSB: 5th 2013
best GP result: 22nd 2005 (125cc)
Champion: 125cc GP Cup 2005 · ACU Academy Cup 2005 · Supersport Cup 2007
Additional: Second overall in the British 125cc series in both 2005 and 2006, with six wins in total; second overall in British Supersport in 2010, with four wins 2009-10

Robbin Harms, Denmark
age 33 · BSB début 2012
racing number: 27
best BSB race result: 7th
best season in BSB: 22nd 2012, 2013
best GP result: 10th 2003 (125cc)
Champion: Dutch 125cc 1996, 1997, 1998 · Scandinavian 125cc 1998, 1999
Additional: Podium results in World Supersport, and fifth overall in 2006

Jakub Smrž, Czech Republic
age 31 · BSB début 2012
racing number: 96
best BSB race result: 6th
BSB pole positions: 1
best season in BSB: 14th= 2014
best WSB race result: 2nd 2011
best GP result: 5th 2001 (125cc)
Champion: Czech Republic 125cc 1998, 1999
Additional: Raced in World Endurance, with a best result of third in 2008; race winner in European 125cc, and runner-up overall in 2000

Danny Buchan, England
age 21 · BSB début 2012
racing number: 83
best BSB race result: 4th
best season in BSB: 24th 2012
Champion: National Superstock 1000 2014
Additional: British Supersport experience

Josh Waters, Australia
age 28 · BSB début 2013
racing number: 21
BSB wins: 2 2014 (Suzuki)
BSB podium results: 3 · BSB fastest laps: 2
best season in BSB: 9th 2014
best WSB race result: 12th 2011
best GP result: 18th 2004 (250cc)
Champion: Australian Superbike 2009, 2012
Additional: Podium results in World Endurance

Rhalf Lo Turco, Brazil
age 39 · BSB début 2014
racing number: 45
best BSB race result: 18th
best season in BSB: no points scored
Champion: Hottrax Motogrande 1000 (Superbike) 2012

Filip Backlund, Sweden
age 25 · BSB début 2014
racing number: 99
best BSB race result: 9th
best season in BSB: 24th= 2014
Champion: Swedish Pro-Superbike 2011
Additional: Raced at FIM Superstock 1000 level in 2008, with a best result of eighth

Jed Metcher, Australia
age 24 · BSB début 2014
racing number: 68
best BSB race result: 7th
best season in BSB: 27th= 2014
best GP result: 20th 2008 (125cc)
Champion: European Superstock 600 2011
Additional: World Supersport racer in 2012, with best result of seventh

Shaun Winfield, England
age 21 · BSB début 2014
racing number: 8
best BSB race result: 17th
best season in BSB: no points scored
Champion: British Minimoto 2005
Additional: British Supersport and 125cc experience

Lee Jackson, England
age 19 · BSB début 2014
racing number: 14
best BSB race result: 10th
best season in BSB: 27th= 2014
Champion: National Superstock 600 2012
Additional: Race winner in National Superstock 1000

And these are the British Superbike rookies in 2015:

Vittorio Iannuzzo, Italy
age 32 · racing number: 31
best WSB race result: 7th 2003
Champion: European Superstock 2002
Notes: World Supersport experience, top ten in 2012; race wins in Italian Superbike series

Danny Johnson, England
age 29 · racing number: 86

Jack Kennedy, Ireland
age 27 · racing number: 44
Notes: British Supersport runner-up 2012, seven race wins in the class; World Supersport 2013-14, best result second

Dani Rivas, Spain
age 25 · racing number: 17
best GP result: 13th 2012 (Moto2)
Notes: European championship experience in Superstock 600 and Supersport racing

David McFadden, South Africa
age 24 · racing number: 69
best WSB race result: 16th 2012
Champion: South African National Supersport 2011

Luke Mossey, England
age 22 · racing number: 12
best GP result: 18th 2009 (250cc)
Notes: Race winner in British Supersport, three times top eight overall

Taylor Mackenzie, Scotland
age 22 · racing number: 11
best GP result: 5th 2011 (125cc)
Notes: Podium finisher in British Supersport



Also watch out for possible appearances from these riders, who all saw BSB action in the 2014 season:

Gary Mason, England
age 35 · BSB début 2002
racing number: 101
best BSB race result: 3rd
BSB podium results: 2
best season in BSB: 8th 2003, 2005
best WSB race result: DNF 2012
Champion: British Superbike Cup 2009
Additional: Race winner in European Superstock at Brands Hatch in 2000; best result of second in British Supersport, and seventh overall in 2001; twice second in National Supersport in 2001, sixth overall; best result of seventh in AMA Superstock racing, at Road Atlanta in 2007; Endurance experience in the Suzuka 8 Hours

Jon Kirkham, England
age 30 · BSB début 2002
racing number: 10
BSB wins: 2 2011-12 (Suzuki, Honda)
BSB podium results: 5 · BSB fastest laps: 3
best season in BSB: 7th 2011, 2013 · 2nd in BSB Cup 2004
best WSB race result: 14th 2011
Champion: National Superstock 2010
Additional: Raced in FIM Superstock 1000 series, with fifth at Donington in 2008

Ben Wilson, England
age 33 · BSB début 2003
racing number: 15
best BSB race result: 4th
best season in BSB: 12th 2006
Champion: National Junior Superstock 2001
Additional: Regular race winner in British Supersport and runner-up in 2011; race wins in National Superstock and third overall in 2004; European Superstock experience, with a best result of sixth

Julien da Costa, France
age 33 · BSB début 2005
racing number: 86
best BSB race result: 4th
best season in BSB: 7th 2009
best WSB race result: 14th 2005
best GP result: 22nd 2000 (250cc)
Champion: French 125cc Aprilia Cup 1998 · French Stocksport 2002 · French Supersport 2003, 2006 · French Superbike (Superproduction) 2004, 2012
Additional: Nine times a race winner in the Endurance World Championship, 2007-14, and sixteen podium results - member of Suzuki’s title winning team on more than one occasion

John Ingram, England
age 39 · BSB début 2007
racing number: 56
best BSB race result: 12th
best season in BSB: 31st 2014
Champion: EMRA 1300cc Open 2012 · EMRA Superbike 2013 · ThundersportGB GP1 2013
Additional: Winner of Mallory Trophy more than once

James Hillier, England
age 30 · BSB début 2009
racing number: 37
best BSB race result: 15th
best season in BSB: 34th 2012 · 8th in BSB Evo 2011
Additional: Road racing competitor with Isle of Man TT podium results, including a win in the 2013 Lightweight race for 650cc super twins; also Macau Grand Prix appearances; fourth overall in the Yamaha R6 Cup in 2004, with a win at Knockhill; British Supersport experience, with best result of ninth; ninth overall in National Superstock in 2009, with a best of fourth place twice

John Hopkins, United States
age 31 · BSB début 2011
racing number: 21
BSB wins: 5 2011 (Suzuki)
BSB podium results: 16 · BSB pole positions: 3 · BSB fastest laps: 2
best season in BSB: 2nd 2011
best WSB race result: 5th 2011
best GP result: 2nd 2007 (MotoGP)
Champion: Aprilia RS250 Challenge 1999 · AMA Supersport 750cc 2000 · AMA Formula Xtreme 2001
Additional: MotoGP regular 2002-08, and fourth overall in 2007, behind only Casey Stoner, Dani Pedrosa and Valentino Rossi; best result of second in AMA Superbike racing at Barber in 2010

Patric Muff, Switzerland
age 31 · BSB début 2011
racing number: 24
best BSB race result: 8th
best season in BSB: 17th 2014 · 4th in BSB Evo 2011
Champion: Swiss Superstock 1000 2008, 2011
Additional: Regular racer in World Endurance, with fourteen top-five results 2005-10, including five podium finishes; race winner in Swiss Supersport, with third overall in 2004; German Pro-Superbike experience; raced in Swiss Supermotard competition

Barry Burrell, England
age 29 · BSB début 2011
racing number: 7
best BSB race result: 4th
best season in BSB: 14th 2012 · 3rd in BSB Evo 2011
Additional: Two BSB Evo wins in 2011; raced in European Superstock 600, with a best result of fourth in 2006; FIM Superstock 1000 racer, with best result of seventh; National Superstock experience

Abdulaziz Binladin, Saudi Arabia
age 30 · BSB début 2012
racing number: 36
best BSB race result: 20th
best season in BSB: no points scored

Keith Farmer, Northern Ireland
age 27 · BSB début 2012
racing number: 303
best BSB race result: 3rd
BSB podium results: 1 · BSB fastest laps: 1
best season in BSB: 14th 2013
Champion: National Superstock 600 2011 · National Superstock 1000 2012

Lee Costello, England
age 28 · BSB début 2013
racing number: 39
best BSB race result: 2nd
BSB podium results: 1
best season in BSB: 19th 2013
best GP result: 26th 2008 (125cc)
Additional: Race winner in British 125cc, and eighth overall in 2007

Peter Baker, England
age 56 · BSB début 2014
racing number: 55
best BSB race result: 22nd
best season in BSB: no points scored

Bryan Staring, Australia
age 27 · BSB début 2014
racing number: 67
best BSB race result: 16th
best season in BSB: no points scored
best WSB race result: 10th 2012
best GP result: 14th 2013 (MotoGP)
Champion: Australian Superbike 2010

Mitchell Carr, Australia
age 27 · BSB début 2014
racing number: 35
best BSB race result: 17th
best season in BSB: no points scored
Champion: Australian Supersport 2012

Michael Dunlop, Northern Ireland
age 25 · BSB début 2014
racing number: 33
best BSB race result: 24th
best season in BSB: no points scored
Additional: Road racing specialist with eleven wins at the Isle of Man TT and several lap records, plus further success in notable Irish events

Josh Wainwright, England
age 25 · BSB début 2014
racing number: 26
best BSB race result: 25th
best season in BSB: no points scored
Additional: National Superstock 600 experience

Kevin Valk, Netherlands
age 21 · BSB début 2014
racing number: 18
best BSB race result: 11th
best season in BSB: 32nd 2014

Christophe Ponsson, France
age 19 · BSB début 2014
racing number: 123
best BSB race result: 17th
best season in BSB: no points scored
Additional: European and FIM Superstock experience

Harry Hartley, England
age 18 · BSB début 2014
racing number: 50
best BSB race result: 13th
best season in BSB: 34th= 2014
Additional: British 125cc and Motostar experience, with a best result of third

All information correct prior to the start of the 2015 season




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