It’s official: Yamaha will return to World Superbike competition in 2016.
The return ends a four-year absence, Yamaha teaming up with Crescent Racing and Pata for the WSBK effort. Sylvain Guintoli, 2014 WSBK champ, and Alex Lowes, 2013 British Superbike champ, will comprise the rider lineup.
“This is a very exciting moment for us as we eagerly wait to return to the top level of Superbike competition next year,” said Eric De Seynes, chief operating officer of Yamaha Motor Europe. “We took one year to grow experience with the new R1 in many other championships where the bike has shown its potential already. Now we are ready to be back on the world stage.”
The Japanese firm has enjoyed much racing success since the introduction of the latest YZF-R1, with 2015 French Superstock, MotoAmerica Superbike and Polish Superbike championships already secured. Pol Espargaro, Bradley Smith, and Katsuyuki Nakasuga delivered Yamaha a Suzuka 8Hr Endurance race win, and Josh Brookes is currently in contention for the British Superbike crown.
