BSB: 2019 grid so far...

Published: 20 November 2018 Updated: 20 November 2018

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The 2019 Bennetts British Superbike grid continues to take shape with various announcements coming out during this week’s Motorcycle Live show in Birmingham.

The latest news confirms Jason O’Halloran will switch from Honda Racing to the McAMS Yamaha team, joining young gun Tarran Mackenzie who impressed as a rookie towards the end of the 2018 season.

Replacing O’Halloran at Honda is Andrew Irwin, who made his superbike debut with the PBM Ducati team mid-way through 2018. Honda have confirmed that Dan Linfoot will also depart the squad, but as yet they have not confirmed who will join Irwin in the Louth-based effort.

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After a stellar 2018 campaign, Danny Buchan will again line-up with the FS-3 Racing squad.

Having competed in his final MotoGP race in Valencia this weekend, Scott Redding will join the factory Be Wiser Ducati team next year alongside Josh Brookes with the duo get to get their first taste of the headline-grabbing V4R in a private test at Jerez next week.

Glenn Irwin moves from the Be Wiser Ducati team to champions JG Speedfit Kawasaki and is joined by Ben Currie, the pairing enjoying a successful first test at Guadix earlier this month.

Superstock 600 champion Ryan Vickers replaces Moto2-bound Jake Dixon in the RAF Regular and Reserves Kawasaki squad.

Luke Mossey and Gino Rea will line-up in an expanded OMG Suzuki effort, while Bradley Ray is the only rider confirmed in the factory supported Buildbase squad at this stage.

After a successful tenure with the MotoRapido Ducati team towards the end of last season, Tommy Bridewell will continue with the Hampshire squad for 2019 as they become Oxford Racing Ducati with support from Oxford Products. Joe Francis will line up with the PR Racing BMW team.

Recent rumours suggest World Superbike exiles Loris Baz and Xavi Fores are looking to move to BSB, while 2015 Moto3 champion Danny Kent confirmed to MCN that he is also still looking for a ride in Britain for 2019.

Baz and Fores have both been linked to Honda and Tyco BMW, however the former, who has BSB experience, is understood to be waiting on one final World Superbike option before committing.

MCN understands Fores’ preferred option is to sign for BMW, but has also had extensive meetings with Havier Beltran about a switch to Honda.

It’s thought there is only one seat available at Tyco BMW with Christian Iddon expected to be retained to race BMW’s new S 1000 RR next year while it’s also believed Superstock 1000 champion Keith Farmer isn’t 100% out of the question for a spot the Northern Irish squad.

James Ellison, who has been linked to Smiths BMW alongside Peter Hickman hopes to reveal his plans to stay in British Superbikes in the next week or so, while it’s understood Dan Linfoot will also confirm his 2019 plans in the next few days.

2019 GRID SO FAR

Be Wiser Ducati: Scott Redding & Josh Brookes
RAF Kawasaki: Ryan Vickers
Quattro Plant JG Speedfit Kawasaki: Glenn Irwin & Ben Currie
OMG Racing Suzuki: Luke Mossey & Gino Rea
Honda Racing: Andrew Irwin
McAMS Yamaha: Jason O’Halloran & Tarran Mackenzie
Buildbase Suzuki: Bradley Ray
Oxford Racing Ducati: Tommy Bridewell
PR Racing BMW: Joe Francis
FS-3 Racing: Danny Buchan

By Oli Rushby

Former sports reporter covering British Superbikes, World Superbikes and road racing