World Superbikes

Although not official, Nicky Hayden has done a deal to move into the Ten Kate squad and will partner Michael van Der Mark in his second year. The former MotoGP world champion will have to put up with the current model Fireblade in 2016 but a brand new CBR1000RR is on the cards for 2017.

The situation with Aprilia and satellite teams is still as clear as the walls of Thames House. A figure of €2M is being touted around as the price to lease a brace of RSV4s for one year which has spooked everyone who has made an inquiry. It is certainly a lot of cash for Shaun Muir to find even with big-money backers like power tool company Milwaukee.

But Dorna are apparently putting pressure on the Noale firm as they are given a lot of help in their MotoGP effort and series bosses aren’t letting them have it all ends up. Muir and Karel Abraham’s AB Motor Racing team, who are moving out of the premier class, are the only likely contenders.

Althea Racing were set to switch to BMW from Ducati but boss Genesio Bevilacqua is concerned over the amount of technical help they will get. He is used to running Ducatis with a lot of help from the factory but it is unclear how much support the team will receive. The current BMW Italia-backed team is going to do something new in 2016. Markus Reiterberger is in line for one of the seats but a second rider isn’t clear. It could go to either of the Aprilia exiles, Torres and Haslam, or it could be an avenue for Josh Brookes. What happens to Matteo Baiocco and Nico Canepa, who has shown flashes of brilliance this year, is anyone’s guess.

Rumours of a Ruben Xaus-run satellite Kawasaki team have quietened down in the past couple of weeks, so it looks like Pedercini will remain as the premier non-works green team with Go Eleven as an underling.

British Superbikes

As the 2015 MCE British Superbike season reaches its conclusion, the rider and team rumour mill has gone into overdrive with most of the talk surrounding the PBM and Milwaukee Yamaha squads.

PBM head honcho Paul Bird has already signed Shane Byrne but it looks likely his association with Stuart Easton will come to an end. It is thought Bird is looking at promoting a Supersport rider to sit alongside Byrne and there may be a change to Ducati machinery if talks between the Penrith chicken magnate and the factory come to a successful conclusion.

Where that leaves Easton is anyone’s guess. He could move into a smaller BSB team like Lee Hardy Racing and give them the benefit of his experience or go back to Supersport where he would be welcomed by anyone with a quarter of a brain.

The Milkwaukee Yamaha situation is a long way from being clear cut. Team boss Shaun Muir is understandably annoyed with Yamaha after they whipped away the works WSBK deal. Muir has been in talks with Aprilia for a possible WSBK switch and also has a couple of other irons in the fire including a deal with Suzuki. Muir is keen to keep champion-elect Josh Brookes but the Bringelly man is eyeing a move back on to the world stage.

JG Speedfit GBmoto Kawasaki are all set with James Ellison but a second rider is yet to be confirmed. Team boss Mark Smith-Halvorsen is keen on the roads so is more than likely looking at someone who can bring podium potential in both disciplines. And there aren’t many of those. Well one, really…

There isn’t any reason why Honda Racing’s Havier Beltran would change his line-up of Dan Linfoot and Jason O’Halloran as the pair worked well when they weren’t injured and a second season with data under their respective belts would see them as a force to be reckoned with.

Tommy Hill has thrown a spanner in the usual works and he will be looking for a mixture of youth and experience in the ePayMe Yamaha squad. Michael Laverty would be an ideal fit there as he has Yamaha knowledge and he and Hill were team-mates in 2012. Kyle Ryde would be a shoo-in for the second slot if he doesn’t get a place in World Supersport and Jack Kennedy is also a fast youngster in need of an opportunity.

Tyco BMW could also be a team looking for a roads/BSB combination in one side of their garage after splitting with William Dunlop and apparently Danny Buchan is being touted as the second man in the Moneymore-based operation. What happens to Tommy Bridewell is another matter. He could go back to Halsall Racing as a replacement for Josh Waters.

It isn’t yet clear whether Christian Iddon, who has improved by orders of magnitude this year, wants to remain with Martin Halsall’s squad or look at at a different team. Tyco could be a place for him.

Moto Rapido Ducati’s Steve ‘The Grinner’ Moore will more than likely return next year with his team and if the budget can be found, expand to a two-man team. Moore wants to keep John Hopkins and the American wants to stay, so that’s that sorted out.

Ryuichi Kiyonari, Lee Jackson and Richard Cooper could find themselves fighting for two spots in the Buildbase BMW team with the Japanese rider likely to remain in one of them. Kiyo has had a poor season but his form is cyclical and Steve Hicken may gamble on 2016 being an up year.

Luke Mossey has apparently already agreed to stay on with the Quattro Plant Kawasaki squad but the future of Howie Mainwaring is not secure.