Da Costa confirms Honda BSB wildcards

New Honda world endurance rider and former BSB racer Julien Da Costa has announced the team’s plans for a return to BSB in 2014.

Reigning champions Honda withdrew from the series at the end of last season, after losing both sponsor Samsung and championship winning rider Alex Lowes.

The team announced their intentions to remain in the paddock, however, running a team in the national Superstock championship to utilise both the all-French endurance riders and the new-for-2014 Honda Fireblade SP.

However, they also confirmed a number of wildcard appearances in the superbike class as they continue development for 2015, and Da Costa has now confirmed that he will be riding in BSB at four rounds of the season: Snetterton, Donington Park, Silverstone and the final round at Brands Hatch.

Da Costa said in the statement released on his website: “I have signed with Honda Europe to compete in the World Endurance Championship on a CBR1000RR with Freddy Foray and Sébastien Gimbert, but I will also be in a few races in British Superbike. The official Samsung Honda team, who were champions in 2013 with Alex Lowes, still want to come back as strong in 2015 so they asked me to participate in the development programme with test sessions and four races during the season.”