Spring has arrived and that can only mean one thing - the 2024 Bennetts British Superbike Championship season is ready with its revs rising and the riders raring to go. 

Eleven rounds, 33 races and a second outing for BSB’s revised Title Showdown points’ scoring format lies ahead to determine whether Tommy Bridewell can defend his crown or if he’ll be dethroned by one of many potential rivals..

As ever, there is no shortage of talent - from rookies to veterans and everything in between - while there have been some big moves among the big teams to whet our appetite too. Let’s meet our BSB Class of 2024…

Hager PBM Team - Ducati Panigale V4 R

#2 - Glenn Irwin

After a period of uncertainty following the death of its eponymous founder and enigmatic ‘captain’ Paul Bird, the most successful team in BSB history will continue in 2024 as it looks to keep the success coming in his memory.

Now under the steer of Paul’s daughter Jordan Bird, while the decision to compete might have been late, it does so with much of its winning formula from last season still in place.

Though down to just a single Ducati entry following Tommy Bridewell’s defection to Honda, the Hager PBM Racing Team has nevertheless retained 2023 BSB runner-up Glenn Irwin as it seeks title number nine.

While PBM has undergone some big operational changes behind the scenes, Irwin - a runner-up for the past two seasons - surely starts among the favourites to secure that elusive BSB title.

Honda Racing UK - Honda CBR1000RR-R

#1 - Tommy Bridewell

#18 - Andrew Irwin

#5 - Dean Harrison

Honda’s quest for a first BSB title since Alex Lowes triumphed back in 2013 sees the works team go all-in for 2024 by poaching PBM’s reigning champion Tommy Bridewell as part of its three-man rider line-up.

His deal is certainly a bold coup for Honda, but it’s also bold decision by Bridewell too, Honda’s form having fluctuated significantly over the past decade, not least last season when injuries and issues led to a protracted lull in form.

For now, it’s difficult to gauge just how much of a leap of faith it will be for Bridewell, not least because he’ll need to reacclimatise to inline-four machinery having found his groove on V4 machinery in recent years. On paper though, Honda has the resources, finance and know-how to give Bridewell everything he needs to become the first rider to defend a BSB title since Shane Byrne.

From one Irwin to another, Bridewell will have Andrew alongside him in the garage this time, the four-time BSB race winner keen to springboard from the hard reset required last season after injury ruled him out for much of the year. As fast as anyone on his day, he’ll need more of those in 2024.

Finally, Dean Harrison makes for an intriguing signing for Honda this season. While there are clearly aspirations for Harrison to be the one to return Honda to the top of the podium at the Isle of Man TT, his BSB form has been steadily improving in recent years too. With a factory-spec bike now underneath him, Harrison could make one of the year’s more eye-catching steps forward.

OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing - Yamaha R1

#77 - Kyle Ryde

#7 - Ryan Vickers

Despite relinquishing its BSB title crown last season, there was still much for OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing to be happy about in 2023 and it heads into the new season bullish about its chances of getting its regalia back.

Five wins last season saw Kyle Ryde prove a very worthy successor to OMG’s erstwhile team leader Bradley Ray and certainly ran the more experienced Bridewell and Irwin closely in the title race.

We’ll reserve judgement on whether his dominant form during testing is a sign of things to come (he was similarly formidable pre-season last year) and whether more dedicated support from Yamaha UK will see gains from the ageing R1 package, but if he continues his trajectory in terms of maturity and consistency, he ranks as a title favourite.

On the other side of the garage, team-mate Ryan Vickers can’t be ruled out for his own championship challenge either. After grasping his chance with OMG Racing last season, Vickers blossomed into a front-runner and - at last - a podium and race winner too. Provided he smooths off the rougher edges and limits the costly crashes, he’s got huge potential.

ROKiT Haslam Racing BMW Motorrad - BMW M 1000 RR

#91 - Leon Haslam

It’s perhaps a bit unfair to describe Leon Haslam as BSB’s elder statesman - not least because few would believe it has been 21 years since his debut in the series - but you won’t find a rider who knows more about every inch of every track in the UK than the 2018 BSB champ.

More importantly, the 46-time BSB race winner remains as fiercely competitive as ever and is well placed to make a step forward with his own ROKiT Haslam Racing BMW Motorrad outfit.

This will be the second year for his eponymous team set-up, while last year’s debut was hindered by its late formation before the start of the season, Haslam leaps into 2024 certainly better prepared.

Though the top of the podium escaped him in 2023 - largely due to some rotten luck at times - Haslam’s results belied the small, hastily arranged team structure all the same.

, thus boding well for a sizeable step forward across the board for 2024.

With good support from BMW and benefits that come from Haslam’s undeniable experience, it bodes well for the Ashby-de-la-Zouch star in his hunt for BSB title number two.

Monster Energy BMW Motorrad by FHO Racing - BMW M 1000 RR

#60 - Peter Hickman

#25 - Josh Brookes

Though there were certainly big highs to be celebrated in 2023 for FHO Racing, it was still a season of two halves for the official BMW Motorrad UK-backed outfit.

Two race wins for Josh Brookes early on suggested his decision to swap out Ducati for BMW was a savvy one, though his results became less assured over the course of the year, while it was an unusually low key season for Peter Hickman too.

Still, FHO Racing and its riders have the performance, machinery and resources to run at the front, while no other pairing brings more experience to the grid than the popular fan favourites.

Completely Motorbikes FS-3 Racing - Kawasaki ZX-10RR

#22 - Jason O’Halloran

#30 - Max Cook

FS-3 Racing-run Completely Motorbikes pair experience with burgeoning talent for its refreshed rider line-up as BSB veteran Jason O’Halloran teams up promising talent Max Cook.

A veritable veteran of the BSB paddock, after tallying several seasons with both Honda and Yamaha, O’Halloran gets to try the Kawasaki ZX-10RR for size this time as he eyes up that elusive first BSB title.

It can’t be ruled out either, O’Halloran proving difficult to beat on his day and while the Ninja isn’t the newest package on the grid, FS-3 Racing have kept it limber and competitive alongside newer competition in recent years.

If O’Halloran is the trusted hand, then Cook will have the ideal benchmark on which to measure himself against as he prepares for his second season in the series. Despite a shaky start to his rookie season as he got to grips with the rigours of his more powerful machinery, Cook made good headway along his learning curve and is well-placed to do the same in 2024. Definitely one to watch this year…

Oxford Products Racing - Ducati Panigale V4 R

#21 - Christian Iddon

As solid as Christian Iddon’s first season with the Oxford Racing Products team certainly was, both rider and team will be seeking more in 2024 befitting of their status as one of BSB’s value added independent teams.

After a shaky start to the season, Iddon’s momentum built as 2023 wore on to deliver on his steadfast reputation for top ten consistency and minimal mistakes.

However, there is arguably more to come from both rider and team with the well-proven Ducati Panigale V4 R package. 

McAMS Racing - Yamaha R1

#52 - Danny Kent

Farewell to McAMS Yamaha, hello McAMS Racing Yamaha! Alas, departed title-winning outfit Raceways haven’t had a change of heart for 2024, instead loyal title backer McAMS have switched allegiance to another of Yamaha’s representatives this year in Mar-Train Racing.

The British Supersport Champions enjoyed an encouraging first season in the full-fat BSB class last year with Jack Kennedy but will have high hopes of even better with Danny Kent.

The 2015 Moto3 World Champion has shown flashes of front-running form in BSB in recent seasons despite various set-backs. After returning to the podium in 2023, Kent will have his sights set on Mar-Train’s first BSB podium this year.  

MasterMac Hawk Racing - Honda CBR1000RR-R

#86 - Charlie Nesbitt

#14 - Lee Jackson

Following its successful transition from Suzuki to Honda machinery last season, Hawk Racing - competing under the MasterMac Honda banner - head into the season with a refreshed line-up in Lee Jackson and Charlie Nesbitt.

One of BSB’s ‘sleeper hits’, Jackson has enjoyed a slow burn of a rise towards the upper echelons of the BSB hierarchy and while some may be surprised to see him part ways with FS-3 Kawasaki on the back of his top four finish in the standings last year, a change of both scenery and machinery might be just what he needs to make that step towards title glory.

A big year lies ahead of Charlie Nesbitt having emerged as the standout rookie of 2023. With a valuable year of experience now under his belt and trips to the podium already in the bag, Nesbitt has the potential to get well inside the top ten on a more regular basis this year.

Cheshire Mouldings TAS Racing - BMW M 1000 RR

#11 - Rory Skinner

His Moto2 ambitions might be on the back burner for now, but Rory Skinner’s return to BSB at least gives him the opportunity to pick up where he left off from 2022.

While he faces a new challenge getting to grips with the Cheshire Mouldings BMW M 1000 RR, if Skinner can tap back into the form that had him scoring regular podiums and make it to the Title Showdown two years ago, he could be a dark horse to return TAS Racing back to the front of the field.

DAO Racing - Kawasaki ZX-10RR

#83 - Danny Buchan

#51 - Brayden Elliott

Having focused its attentions on achieving success on the roads in recent years, DAO Racing is turning its attention towards becoming a force in BSB now too.

It means the Manx team is expanding to two Kawasaki entries and going bold with its signing of multiple race winner Danny Buchan and promoting Brayden Elliott from Superstock.

A chance for Buchan to get reacquainted with the ZX-10RR, at the very least he’ll be seeking a trouble-free campaign after having his 2023 BSB season disrupted by injury woes. 

Very quick on his day, DAO Racing will be pinning high hopes on him to achieve its best results in BSB to date, while Elliott will look to build on the handful of starts he made towards the end of 2023

LKQ Euro Car Parts - Kawasaki ZX-10RR

#79 - Storm Stacey

STAUFF Power Fluid - Kawasaki ZX-10RR

#68 - Tom Neave

GR Motorsport - racing under two different guises in 2024 - will also expand to a two-rider effort for this season with Storm Stacey (top hat and all) heading into his fifth season on the LKQ Euro Car Parts Kawasaki.

Still only 21-years old, Stacey has been knocking on the door of becoming a regular top ten contender, but - young though he is - this is the year to put that fresh-faced experience towards more regular top ten visits.

Joining him on the sister STAUFF Power Fluid-branded Kawasaki, meanwhile, is Tom Neave, who goes private for the 2024 BSB season in a bid to shake off a disappointing two years on the works Honda and get back to the form that had him winning the National Superstock title in 2021.

The BSB Privateers

TAG Racing - Honda CBR1000RR-R: #89 - Fraser Rogers, #74 - Jaimie van Sikkelerus (Pathway)

Cumins by Team IWR - Honda CBR1000RR-R: #75 - Alex Olsen (Pathway)

Rapid Racing - Honda CBR1000RR-R: #54 Franco Bourne

C&L Fairburn - Jackson Racing - Honda CBR1000RR-R: # Billy McConnell

Whitecliffe CDH Racing - Kawasaki ZX-10RR: #23 Luke Hedger 

IN Competition SENCAT - Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory: #8 Lewis Rollo (Pathway)

NP Motorcycles - Kawasaki ZX-10RR: #55 - Louis Valleley

Don’t forget to keep an eye out for the plucky underdogs this year too as BSB’s smaller independent outfits target some giant-killing performances in 2024.

Among them will be Franco Bourne, who after showing encouraging performance during a handful of events with the works Honda squad in place of Andrew Irwin, gets a full-time gig in 2024 as part of the factory supported Rapid Racing team.

He is joined in making the step from SSTK by Billy McConnell, the BSB podium winner returning to the top class after a few years away, on the C&L Fairburn Jackson Racing Honda, as well as Lewis Rollo on the IN Competition SENCAT Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory.

TAG Racing, meanwhile, go for an all-new rider line-up for the 2024 BSB season with SSTK graduate Fraser Rogers and Supersport race winner Jaimie van Sikkelerus joining the fray on its pair of Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblades.

An established front-runner at SSTK level, Rogers gets his chance on full-fat BSB machinery for 2024, while Dutch racer van Sikkelerus brings race-winning credentials from the BSS division with an aim of getting TAG Racing back towards the sharper end of the grid following a lull in recent years.

Alex Olsen gets a return to BSB this season looking to put the benefit of greater experience into practice after two race-winning seasons at Superstock level.

Sticking with the same Cumins by Team IWR effort, Olsen - who has previously competed with Smiths Racing/FHO Racing BMW in recent years - will at least have a number of fellow Honda entries on the grid to measure himself against.

Luke Hedger is also taking the step aboard the Whitecliffe CDH Racing Kawasaki, with Louis Valleley getting a full campaign on the NP Motorcycles Kawasaki after a handful of outings with CDH Racing last year.