WSB: Baz confirms SBK return, in talks with Honda

Loris Baz has confirmed he will return to the Superbike World Championship in 2018 after losing his MotoGP seat after three seasons in the premiere class. 

Avintia Ducati has today confirmed Xavier Simeon will move from Moto2 to join Tito Rabat in the team next year, leaving Baz out in the cold with all MotoGP seats now occupied for 2018. 

Confirming his move to World Superbike, the Frenchman said he’s not yet sorted who he’ll be riding for in the production-based series but says he’s been in talks with the Red Bull Honda squad among others.

“I want to be in World Superbikes. I’ve been there, I’ve always said that it is a really good championship,” Baz said.

“I will be happy to be back there, especially if I can fight on the podium like I did a few years ago. I am only 24 years old. I have three years of Superbike and three years of MotoGP in my career, so there is always time to come back in a few years!

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“The winning bikes of this season are all taken. We are looking for the best project and talking with a few teams like Ten Kate [Red Bull Honda]. That would be something cool, to work with a team like them and to bring them to the win. They were a winning team for many years but are struggling a little bit now. I’ve been fast in Superbike, I know most of the tracks, I know the championship, the tyres so it could be a good thing, That is not the only thing, we are talking with other people too trying to find the best seat.

“Most teams are not sure what they will do, some don’t even know if they will have one or two bikes. I will be in Magny Cours so we will see.”

Baz won two races in World Superbikes in his time with the factory Kawasaki Racing team and took a best championship finish of fifth in 2014 despite being one of the youngest riders on the grid. 

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