2016 Australasian Superbike Champion (ASC), Robbie Bugden and Supersport champion, Kyle Buckley will spearhead the Kawasaki BCperformance assault on the Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) in 2017 aboard their Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R superbikes.
Both riders will continue to ride for the Kawasaki Motors Australia supported team, with Robbie carrying on into his second year and Kyle stepping up into the superbike class to race the formidable Ninja ZX-10R following his championship winning performance aboard his Ninja ZX-6R in this year’s ASC series.
“I’m really pumped to continue working with the Kawasaki BCperformance team in 2017,” Robbie commented.
“We have built a great working relationship and shared some great results, none more than dominating the 2016 Australasian superbike series. The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R is a great machine that was fast straight out of the box and from there it has only become better thanks to the team. So to be able to harness all that we have learnt over the year and to tackle a new challenge of racing in the ASBK series is a super exciting prospect. The ASBK series is shaping up to be one of the toughest we have seen in a long time. I have every confidence in the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, Kawasaki Motors Australia, Kelvin Reilly, BCperformance and my own ability to be able to run at the front and be a real contender for the championship. I can’t wait!”
Kyle Buckley began his development journey with the team as a Ninja 300 rider in the Kawasaki Insurances FX300 Ninja Cup. From there he progressed to race at supersport level with his Ninja ZX-6R and 2017 will see him take the ultimate step-up into the superbike class.
“After taking out the ASC supersport title this year with my Ninja ZX-6R, I am absolutely stoked to ride a Ninja ZX-10R superbike for the Kawasaki BCperformance team in 2017. It has been my life dream to be able to ride for a factory supported team and to have this in my first year aboard a superbike is something truly special. I will be putting in 110% effort leading into 2017 to be as fit, fast and focused as I can be for the year ahead,” commented Kyle.
“I know full well that the team will be preparing the best bike in the field for me and I am confident we can be competitive from round one. I look forward to it and hope that we can continue to move forward,” said the Queenslander.
With the upcoming series starting at the iconic Phillip Island Circuit on 23rd Feb 2017 and testing prior to that, Team Manager, Kelvin Reilly is prepared for the team’s ASBK assault, saying, “After the ASC success we had with the superbike and supersport titles, along with a 2nd in the Kawasaki Insurances FX300 Ninja Cup (Jimmy Broadbent) and a 3rd in the Formula OZ (Evan Byles) this year, we are excited about this announcement!”
“I believe Robbie and Kyle are a great mix of experience and youth. The support and team structure we have in place and the support we are receiving from Kawasaki Motors Australia will give us the best chance possible to content with the best in Australia.”
“I would also like to pay a massive amount of gratitude to Evan Byles from SA Motorcycles for their part in our success over the past 2 seasons and wish Evan all the best in the future,” Kelvin said.
