Virgin Yamaha signs Hudson Kennaugh to BSB

British Superbike team Virgin Yamaha have signed Superstock rider Hudson Kennaugh for the remainder of the BSB season.

The 26 year-old South African initially deputised for James Haydon at the last two rounds of the championship at Oulton Park and Snetterton and will now compete full-time alongside Tommy Hill for the remaining eight rounds.

Team boss Rob McElnea said: “We definitely have not seen the best of Hudson yet. He has been riding in the Superstock class alongside our ride and that means that he can’t give either class his best. Steve Rogers from Raceways [Kennaugh’s current team] understands the opportunity that Hudson has with us and has released him to ride with us for the remainder of the season. Now he can focus 100% and I’m sure that we will see his true talent.”

With four championship points to his name from his initial rides, Kennaugh has shown great promise and narrowly missed a top ten finish by three tenths of a second at the high speed Snetterton circuit.

He’s also currently second in the National Superstock series riding a Raceways Yamaha team. The chance to move to Superbikes full-time has seen Hudson relinquish his Superstock ride in order to focus 100% on his Virgin Media Optoma Loans Yamaha opportunity.

Kennaugh said: “What an opportunity Rob has given me, I’m obviously really pleased. I’d like to thank all the guys at Raceways Yamaha for the support that they have given me in Superstock and bringing me to the UK. It’s time to concentrate fully on the Superbike and to start making some serious progress and proving my abilities to everyone.”