Hornsey completes Team WD-40 line-up

Sam Hornsey, one of the stand-out performers of the 205 British Supersport season, will graduate to the MCE British Superbike season for 2016 after penning a deal to join Team WD-40 alongside Irishman Jack Kennedy.

Horney, who will replace Taylor Mackenzie on the team’s ZX-10R, has been a tar performer during the 2015 middleweight season, closing down the gap on the leading group all season long to eventually make the podium in third at both Silverstone and Brands Hatch.

And, coming into the class as one of a host of supersport riders looking to make their mark, the Bucknell rider says he has a clear role model – the man he replaced at Profile Triumph, Luke Mossey.

“I believe I have shown that we could run a strong pace in Supersport and we were all running at lap record pace so I hope that we can be where we are aiming for initially straight from the off. Everyone has seen what Luke Mossey has done this season and that is almost a carrot for me because it shows what a rider moving up from Supersport can do.

“My aim for next season is to be the top rookie, I think Glenn Irwin also making the step up is a good target for me, so I want to learn and then keep pushing on through the season – I don’t want to be there just to make up the numbers!

“I am really excited to be moving into Superbike; it is the premier class and it has been something I have aspired to for the past ten years. I wanted to finish on the podium in Supersport this year and I achieved that so I feel that this is now my next challenge and a new chapter for me.”

And, with his pace this season catching the eye of many in the paddock, team boss Brent Gladwin says that he’s had his eye on Hornsey for a while – and is relishing the opportunity to work with him.

“The whole team are really pleased to have Sam onboard as he moves into the Superbike class. He has been top of my list for a while as I have been watching him really progress over the years and I feel that this is now the right time for him to make the next step in his career.

“I have seen him have his first run out on a Superbike before the end of last season and he instantly impressed me with how he adapted to the bigger bike. I think he has the ability to be a great Superbike rider if he can progress within a team over the next few years and that is what we want to see. We are really happy that we have been able to confirm our Superbike line up of Jack and Sam at this stage of the year and as a team we are already looking ahead to our testing programme in preparation for the 2016 season.”