John McGuinness joins Bournemouth Kawasaki for 2020 Road Racing campaign

John McGuinness will compete at the Isle of Man TT and North West 200 for the Quattro Plant Bournemouth Kawasaki team. 

The 23-time TT race winner will ride the ZX-10RR in the Superbike and Superstock classes at both events. It will be the first time that the 47-year-old has ridden a Kawasaki at the TT or North West 200. However, he did secure second place for Hawk Racing Kawasaki at the Ulster Grand Prix in 2004. 

“I’m delighted to announce my plans for the 2020 International road racing season and equally delighted to be riding for Quattro Plant Bournemouth Kawasaki,” McGuinness said. “Their record on the roads with James Hillier, in terms of both results and reliability, along with their reputation within the bike industry, speak for themselves and with it being such a family-orientated team, it’s the perfect fit for me. It’s a highly reputable, professional team who have achieved great things on both the roads and the circuits and, for me, they tick all the boxes.”

Alongside his 23 wins McGuinness also has an unmatchable record of 47 podiums. He also has six wins and 21 podiums at the North West 200.

“Pete drove all the way up from Bournemouth to Morecambe to meet me and put the offer on the table and it didn’t take much for me to sign – it was an easy decision,” McGuinness added. 

“Everything made perfect sense and we’ve put together a good plan that will put us in the best position possible for the TT and North West 200. After my performances at Macau, I really got my mojo back and, with my leg now 100%, I feel like I’m as riding as well as ever. Joining Kawasaki and Pete’s team and riding the Ninja ZX-10RR is a new chapter for me, one I’m excited about and really looking forward to.”

McGuinness replaces James Hillier at Bournemouth Kawasaki. Hillier left the team to join OMG Racing for their maiden road racing campaign. 

More from MCN