Stalker confirms Honda talks and 2016 return

MCE British Superbike veteran Chris Walker has publically confirmed rumours that he was in talks to Honda Racing, BSB’s only factory team, to make a return to the series for the final round of the year this weekend at Brands Hatch after the collapse of his Be Wiser team.

Walker, a rider normally associated with Kawasaki machinery, last rode a Honda in 2010, racing for the SMT squad for four races – but admitted that his strengthened links with the green factory were the deciding factor in his decision.

“I got a phone call from Honda last week to offer me the spare seat alongside Linfoot for Brands, which was awesome and very flattering indeed – but with my involvement and long term relationship with Kawasaki UK, plus of course the fact I’ve recently opened my Chris Walker Kawasaki dealership in Grantham; as hard as it was to tell them, I had to say no to one of the best rides in the paddock! Unfortunately, nothing else has presented itself so that’s it for the Stalker for 2015.”

However, he was also quick to confirm that he’s hoping to return to the championship for a final swansong on the brand new ZX-10R.

“It’s going to be tough not going to Brands and seeing out the season for sure but I’ve asked Stuart Higgs to hold onto that number 9 for me just for now though – I’m down but not out and will push to be back on the grid again in 2016 for one final season of BSB on board the awesome looking new Kawasaki ZX10.”