Reynolds moves to Suzuki

John Reynolds has rocked the British Superbike paddock by sensationally dumping Red Bull Ducati for a move to Paul Denning’s Crescent Suzuki squad with a ride alongside fellow reigning British champion Karl Harris. The pair will campaign next season on GSX-R1000s.

Reynolds said:: ” I’m busting to get on the bike and see what it can do. Who knows – it might bring out the bad boy in me! ”

Denning added: ” Together with Karl Harris we will have one of the strongest line-ups. Both riders are hungry for victory and they will encourage each other.

” With John’s experience and Karl’s enthusiasm they are going to be hard to beat. ”

It had originally been expected that James Haydon would return to the team with which he rode in 1998 and 1999, but with the British number four deciding to stay with Yamaha team boss Denning switched his attentions to Reynolds.

He added: ” John has always been or first choice rider, we spoke to him before James. He and Steve Hislop were head and shoulders above the other riders last year. ”

Questions over the future of the Red Bull squad surfaced two weeks ago when team manager Nigel Bosworth quit, reportedly to head up the Sauber WSB effort. With their number one rider gone too things are looking bleak for the Red Bull team.

Reynolds last rode for Suzuki in 1996, when he had an unhappy season riding the company’s factory GSX-R750 during its debut year in World Superbike. The following year he joined Atkins’ Red Bull Ducati team with whom he has spent the last five years.