Ten Kate Honda confirm Ohlins switch

The Ten Kate Honda World Superbike and World Supersport teams have confirmed they will split from long time suspension partner WP and use Ohlins Andreani equipment for the remainder of the 2009 season.

The Dutch Ten Kate team made the partial switch to Ohlins at Misano last week following a successful test at Magny Cours three days earlier. Jonathan Rea took a stunning victory using the new suspension with team-mate Carlos Checa also securing strong race results. 

Ryuichi Kiyonari remained on WP suspension at Misano but will use Ohlins this weekend at Donington Park. In Supersport Kenan Sofuoglu and Andrew Pitt used a combination of Ohlins and WP equipment in Italy but will both be on full Ohlins at the British round.

Ten Kate team boss, Ronald ten Kate, said: “This has been an extremely difficult decision because WP has been our partner in racing since we started. Together, we have won seven World Supersport titles and one World Superbike championship.

“I would like to thank everyone in the racing department at WP. The guys there have worked extremely hard for us through the years and we have a very high regard for their technical knowledge and skill.”

“Unfortunately, recent organisational changes within WP have restricted the really precise development that we have needed. We would like thank the WP race department guys for everything that they have done for us and we wish them all the very best for the future.”