Many people tried to belittle BSB by defining it as “a championship for pensioners” or an “elephant’s graveyard”. OK, it’s true that BSB is rich in veterans, but we shouldn’t forget that the list of their opponents includes some of the rising stars of British racing. The fight between the old and new generations of riders has always been the leitmotiv of British Superbike, where prosiming youngsters often fight and defeat the specialists of the championship (Jake Dixon and Bradley Ray represent the latest case in BSB history). Such duality has become even stronger in 2019, as British Superbike field will be much younger than before and, something not to be neglected, even younger than 2019 World Superbike line-up.
AVERAGE AGE: 27 – Facts prove what we’ve said above. Last year, the average age of the riders contesting season opener at Donington Park was 29, while it was 28 in World Superbike. As 28 riders have been confirmed so far for 2019 BSB season, their average age is 27.6. Veterans like Shane Byrne and Michael Laverty have left the series, but it’s especially thanks to young rookies like reigning National Superstock 600 Champion Ryan Vickers (born in 1999) or 2018 British Supersport runner-up Ben Currie (born in 1995) what contributed to the rejuvenation of the field. By contrast, the average age of the 18 riders contesting 2019 Superbike World Championship round at Phillip Island will be 29.6…
YOUNG LIONS – Many young riders are expected on the gird for 2019 British Superbike season. The “baby” of the group is Ryan Vickers, who’ll turn 20 on 19th February. Furthermore, the new BSB season will be contested by two riders born in 1997 (Bradley Ray and Joe Francis), four born in 1995 (Tarran Mackenzie, Fraser Rogers, Ben Currie and David Allingham) and four born in 1993 (Scott Redding, Danny Buchan, Shaun Winfield and Sam Coventry). On the other side, the oldest one is James Ellison, who’ll turn 39 on 19th September. 2009 season runner-up had planned to retire at the end of 2018, but finally he’ll put one more season under his belt. However, he’ll have to work hard, if he wants to keep all these fast, fierce youngsters behind him…
Translated by Alessandro Palma