BSB: Truelove to ride Raceways Yamaha

Matt Truelove will graduate to the Bennetts British Superbike class in 2019, racing with the Raceways Yamaha team – a satellite set-up to the factory-backed McAMS Yamaha effort.

After riding a Superstock spec Yamaha YZF-R1 with the team this season, Matt makes the step up to the blue-riband class with the Lancashire based squad. Carrying McAMS signage along with additional personal support, the Lincoln rider will be joining newly announced McAMS Yamaha riders Tarran Mackenzie and Jason O’Halloran for a first taste of Superbike power at Almeria, Spain in a week’s time.

Matt, who has only been racing five years, took a second place finish in the British Supersport class and after settling into the Pirelli Superstock division he came close to the podium on several occasions. 

The McAMS Yamaha equipe are preparing a Superbike for Matt in the same specification as their other two riders and will run Matt in an adjacent garage as a satellite team; Raceways Yamaha.

An enthusiastic Matt, commented; “This is a perfect situation in terms of set-up to start out in Superbikes, as I’ve ridden the Superstock version of the bike, the team have developed a race winning  machine and I know the guys really well. 

I’m obviously taking a big chance entering Superbike and I’m under no illusions its going to be tough, after all this is the toughest bike race series in the world. You only have to look at some of the big names who sometimes struggle to hit the front. But there’s no pressure and I’m going to focus on learning as much as possible and trying to progress.

“It’s great to have a test at Almeria so soon and I also hope I can learn from Taz who achieved so much in his Rookie season. I’m so thankful for this opportunity and can’t wait to get going.”