World Supersport: Tommy Hill signs for Hannspree Altea Honda

Britain’s Tommy Hill will ride for the Hannspree Altea Honda squad in World Supersport Championship after signing a deal with the Italian team at the weekend.

The squad have close links with Honda Europe meaning they will get the same technical support as the dominant Ten Kate Honda team.

Tommy Hill with ride alongside Italian Gianluca Nannelli in a two man Supersport team with the squad also running a one man Superbike team with Italian Roberto Rolfo.

Hill currently rides for the Virgin Yamaha team in British Superbikes, but after four years with the squad has elected to switch championships and join the world stage.

Tommy Hill got his first taste of the World Supersport class this season after being drafted in to the factory Yamaha SSP team as a replacement for the injured Kevin Curtain.

Hill impressed with his ability to adapt to the 600 after a career on Superbikes and looked odds on to join the Yamaha team until they made the surprise move to sign Frenchman Fabien Foret.

Tommy Hill was then left with options in both British Superbikes and World Supersport, but after an agonising few weeks elected to sign for the Honda Europe supported and Hannspree backed Altea Honda squad.

Speaking exclusively to MCN,Tommy Hill said: “It’s been a tough decision to leave Yamaha and to leave the British Superbike Championship, but after meeting the Hannspree Altea Honda team at the weekend I was really impressed.

“I’m happy to be involved in this team and with Hannspree. Hannspree are the title sponsor of the championship plus the team are directly supported by Honda and HRC.

“The support from Honda is really strong which was a main reason I signed for them.

“It’s a great opportunity for me, from the results this year the team have shown they are very competitive and next year we should be in an even stronger position.”