Before we bid a final farewell to the year that was 2023 and begin gazing ahead to the year that will be 2024, BSN  looks back at the 2023 British Superbike Championship to bring you our rundown of the Top 10 BSB Riders of the Year. 

There is no substitute for experience as Leon Haslam bags fourth…

There aren’t many ‘firsts’ left for Leon Haslam to attempt in a career that has seen him competing at the highest levels nationally and internationally for more than 20 years now.

Nevertheless, this season would see Haslam supplement his riding duties with the formation of his own de facto team, the 2018 BSB Champion utilising his extensive connections to successfully lobby BMW for support under the ROKiT BMW Motorrad UK banner.

A step in a new direction for Haslam to move him on from a disappointing comeback campaign on the VisionTrack Kawasaki in 2022, while he may have been more hands-on than ever before behind the scenes, out on track the Leicestershire rider was back doing what he does best towards the sharp end once more.

Quick from the off, despite only confirming his entry a few weeks before the season opener, four podiums from the opening three rounds had the hallmark of a burgeoning title challenge.

However, he’d begin to lose touch with Tommy Bridewell and Glenn Irwin as they kicked on in the title race during the middle portion of the season, Haslam’s tempo slowed further by a smattering of DNFs and teething issues on a M 1000 RR that he was still learning to both ride and develop.

While his turn at the top of the podium would remain just out of reach, it was still a trip he’d proceed to take on ten occasions - four seconds, six thirds - enough to assure him of an overall top five spot in the final standings and satisfying status as leading BMW rider, in front of its factory-nominated team, FHO Racing.

BSN’s Top 10 BSB Rider of 2023

5 - Ryan Vickers

6 - Lee Jackson

7 - Jason O’Halloran

8 - Charlie Nesbitt

9 - Josh Brookes

10 - Danny Kent