WSBK & WSS News. Ten Kate Honda's 5 rider line up for 2008

[FourWheelDrift]

WSBK - Carlos Checa, Kenan Sofuoglu and Ryuichi Kiyonari.
WSS - Andrew Pitt and Jonathan Rea

Hanspree also replaces Corona as series sponsor.

crash.net said:

The Dutch-based team will run a three-man WSBK squad consisting of MotoGP contender Carlos Checa, current World Supersport champion Kenan Sofuoglu and defending British Superbike Champion Ryuichi Kiyonari. Checa, whose deal was exclusively revealed by Crash.net columnist Mike Nicks during his Portuguese GP blog on September 16, has had a long grand prix career spanning the 250cc, 500cc and MotoGP World Championships. The Spaniard has 24 podium finishes under his belt and hopes to add to this tally in the World Superbike series.

Sofuoglu has proven his talent by claiming the 2007 World Supersport crown for Ten Kate. The Turkish rider also had his first taste of victory on the CBR1000RR when he clinched a race win in the Dutch Superbike Championship at Assen in September.

Kiyonari is already more than familiar with the 1000cc machine, having ridden for the factory-supported HM Plant Honda team in the British Superbike Championship since 2005. The 2006 champion is leading this year's series with one round remaining.

In WSS, former MotoGP and WSBK rider Andrew Pitt has been confirmed alongside British Superbike star Jonathan Rea. Former WSS champion Pitt will return to the series with the aim of reclaiming the title and securing a seventh consecutive Supersport win for Ten Kate Honda. Ulsterman Rea is new to the world championship - but is the youngest ever rider to secure a BSB pole position, podium and race win.

"After such a successful 2007 season, we wanted to build a team that brings the same kind of success for 2008 and beyond. This is why we have chosen to go with some very young riders in both the Superbike and Supersport class," explained team manager Ronald ten Kate. "We are confident that we can do well in developing these riders."

Meanwhile, having enjoyed double title success in its first season as title sponsor at Ten Kate, Hannspree has made the decision to renew its deal until 2010. Hannspree will also replace Corona as the WSBK title sponsor from 2008-2010.

"I am pleased that we have such great talent signed up for 2008," said Fabio Scatola, vice president of Hannspree Europe. "We have had an incredible first year with Ten Kate Honda and we are looking forward to achieving similar success in the years to come."

"We are really happy that after one year working with Hannspree they are confident enough in the team's work and ability to renew the contract for three years. We share the same goals and ambitions and are very much looking forward to 2008," added ten Kate.

[tim2100]

Shaping up to be a good 2008 in WSB.

Although unsure why Checa has gone there, apart from to add to his pension fund..

Good GP racer, gone to WSB to retire.

[y2blade]

checa's f'ing useless on a motogp bike

BUT

he'll prob be ok on a "shopping bike"

[castrolcraig]

also add to that craig jones on an team altea bike with further hanspree sponsorship........

rumour has it that he and sofuoglu are the ten kate "b" team for next season.......

[Biker's Nemesis]

Agree with the "careless chucka" comments, they could have chosen a younger rider, same as they did with Chris Vermeulen.

[castrolcraig]

Biker's Nemesis said:

Agree with the "careless chucka" comments, they could have chosen a younger rider, same as they did with Chris Vermeulen.

careless chucka

one of my best sayings ever, in my opinion thats up ther with the alonso "spantard" comment.


agree he shouldnt be in wsb and he probably wouldnt have been had hodgson not been mental and blown ten kate out for honda ama.........

[anonymous-user]

castrolcraig said:

agree he shouldnt be in wsb and he probably wouldnt have been had hodgson not been mental and blown ten kate out for honda ama.........

Sorry, but i think Carlos will do a far better job than Neil could... look at his Suzuka 8hr times compared to Toselands, both had an HRC blade, yet Carlos was faster with only a few hours practice on the bike!

Checa will be a title contender next season imo.

[Biker's Nemesis]

castrolcraig said:

Biker's Nemesis said:

Agree with the "careless chucka" comments, they could have chosen a younger rider, same as they did with Chris Vermeulen.

careless chucka

one of my best sayings ever, in my opinion thats up ther with the alonso "spantard" comment.


agree he shouldnt be in wsb and he probably wouldnt have been had hodgson not been mental and blown ten kate out for honda ama.........

[castrolcraig]

JS99 said:

Checa will be a title contender next season imo.

ther only thing checa will do next season is make ten kate hondas fairing bill 3 times what it was.

sorry but if anything i think sofuoglu will be the fastest ten katesuperbike rider next season.........

and correct me if im wrong but who set the fastest lap on a hrc bike ????

oh yeah, that would be toseland

Edited by castrolcraig on Monday 8th October 17:55

[Biker's Nemesis]

JS99 said:

castrolcraig said:

agree he shouldnt be in wsb and he probably wouldnt have been had hodgson not been mental and blown ten kate out for honda ama.........

Sorry, but i think Carlos will do a far better job than Neil could... look at his Suzuka 8hr times compared to Toselands, both had an HRC blade, yet Carlos was faster with only a few hours practice on the bike!

Checa will be a title contender next season imo.

I've nothing against Chucka, I wish I could ride a bike half as well as he does, but he's had his day, The only thing I can see him bringing to the team is sponsorship, and maybe a bit of set up advice for the younger riders. Max didn't have it his own way this year, and I consider him a better racer than Chucka. Saying that I hope he does well, but I can't see it, could be another Rolfo.

[anonymous-user]

castrolcraig said:

and correct me if im wrong but who set the fastest lap on a hrc bike ????

oh yeah, that would be toseland

Are you sure?

"Pole was set by MotoGP star Carlos Checa, who rides alongside Suzuka two-time winner Tadayuki Okada on the other HRC Fireblade entry, in front of 41,000 fans"

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresul...

Checa finished the race second whilst JT crashed out.

Checa's no mug - he had quite a few podiums in 2005 on the Ducati motogp bike & since then has only had poor machinery, so i wouldn't judge him off recent performances.

We'll see who's laughing at the end of next season

[Biker's Nemesis]

JS99 said:

We'll see who's laughing at the end of next season

That'll be Carlos, all the way to the bank no matter what we say or think.

[castrolcraig]

JS99 said:

We'll see who's laughing at the end of next season

that will be the people who make ten kate's fairings.......

"quick lads treble the output, careless is riding next year"

[castrolcraig]

oh and js, look at the actual times on race tyres.......

jt followed closely by kiyo, okada then kagayama on the suzuki......

and the hrc No2 bike pole lap was set by okada, not chukka....

and remember all this was done by jt despite usually riding on pirelli's and chukka is on top spec michelins all the time.............

as much as i am a honda man i think bayliss will win next season.......

and jones'y for wss...