JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s James Ellison has finished the 2015 MCE British Superbike Championship in third overall after a brace of recent good results. The Cumbrian ended the year on a high with a second place finish at Brands Hatch this afternoon.
Ellison has had a season of extreme highs and lows and was blighted by injury, including a nasty broken wrist. But he battled through the pain and pushed hard to remain in the Showdown and to finish the series in third, and on the podium.
The ZX-10R rider will remain with the GBmoto outfit and Team Owner, Mark Smith-Halvorsen for next year with the aim of winning the title in 2016.
“That last race really was a fantastic way to end the season, obviously I’m a little disappointed not to get the win but it wasn’t through lack of trying,” said Ellison.
“The entire race was an awesome battle, both Shakey and Laverty’s bikes had differing strengths so it was really hard to make a move stick. Going into the final lap I thought I had the win when I passed into Paddock Hill but just ran a little wide.
“It’s great to be back on the podium and I’m just glad I could thank the boys in the garage with another trophy – they’ve worked so hard all year and I honestly believe that if it wasn’t for the injuries we had then we could have enjoyed more wins. Fair play to Josh, he rode an amazing season and fully deserved the Championship.
“I’m now looking forward to a few weeks rest before we regroup for the next season, with the brand new ZX-10R I really think we’ll be a force to be reckoned with.”
Team Owner, Mark Smitth- Halvorsen added to bikesportnews.com: “There have been highs and lows this year - more downs than we would have liked. We have shown good form and we started off in a positive, winning way. We made a lot of changes within the team this year from personnel, structurally and changed some riders so again that has been more turbulent than anticipated.
We have a new three year plan and a deal with Kawasaki and we are looking forward to seeing where the new bike takes us in 2016.
“We are probably in the primary spot for support in what is going to be a vastly expanded Kawasaki effort in BSB. There is a real factory link and a tick in the Japanese box with what information and parts will be made to us. It needs some coordinated factory involvement to get the job done here now and hopefully that is what we will experience.”
