Supersport champion McConnell goes BSB with Smiths

Reigning British Supersport champion Billy McConnell will step up to the MCE British Superbike championship for the 2015 season, but is set to remain with his Smiths of Gloucester team – albeit with a switch from 675cc Triumph machinery to 1000cc BMWs.

McConnell took the supersport title with the Triumph team in 2014 after four years of trying with the team, and says remaining with his ‘family’ there was one of the key parts of his decision.

“I’m really excited about the new challenge as it’s been a while since I was in BSB but it was important not to go back unless it was with a good team. The Smiths team I won the British Supersport Championship is making the step up with me so the time is right and I’m really looking forward to racing the BMW. I’m a little nervous too so I will be happy to get our test programme underway.” 

With the move from Triumph to BMW, the team have also secured support from BMW UK, with UK marketing manager Lee Nicholls keen to stress the support.

“It is great to be able to support Smiths Racing for their 2015 British Superbike and International Road Racing campaigns. Smith Racing will be supported via the BMW Motorrad Customer Racing Programme and we are really pleased the team approached BMW Motorrad for this opportunity.”

However, the team are not completely abandoning the middleweight class, and will remain in the series with a two bike headed by 2014 rider Graeme Gowland. He’ll be joined on their Triumph Daytona machines by Jake Dixon.