06.02.2023 |
WorldSBK Staff |
WorldSBK

In a move that will surprise no-one, Issac Vinales has been confirmed as full-time rider for the 2023 Pedercini and Vinales Racing WorldSBK partnership.

While the team failed to appear on the 2023 entry lists released in late December, a statement from TPR by Viñales Racing on Monday detailed its return to action for the first European race of the 2023 FIM Superbike World Championship, scheduled for late April at the TT Circuit Assen – bypassing the opening flyaway action at Phillip Island and Mandalika.

Viñales, who raced for TPR Team Pedercini at Estoril in 2022 will contest all remaining rounds of the coming season aboard a Kawasaki ZX10 RR machine, while also lining up with Wójcik Racing in EWC.

“I am very happy to be able to race with TPR by Viñales Racing in 2023,” the 29-year-old Spaniard confirmed. “I am happy to be back in the World Superbike paddock and I am working hard to give 100 per cent and hope for the good results that will surely come. I want to thank Lucio, Angel and the sponsors for the trust placed in me.”

“I am happy to confirm Isaac will return to the team with us for the 2023 season,” Team Principal, Lucio Pedercini added. “We already worked together in Estoril last year, so we know each other a little. We are working hard behind the scenes and I am confident that the new look team will be able to perform well – in any case we will do our best. We will update with more information in the coming weeks regarding testing, but we will be ready for Assen!”

16.12.2022 |
WorldSBK Staff |
WorldSBK

TPR Team Pedercini has joined forces with Viñales Racing Team for a two year partnership in WorldSBK.

The new look TPR by Viñales Racing squad will compete solely in the FIM Superbike World Championship and continue the Italian team’s long-standing association with Kawasaki, however, the rider remains unknown at this stage.

“I am delighted to have reached an agreement with Angel and the Viñales Racing Team that will see TPR remain in the FIM Superbike World Championship moving forward with a structure that will allow us to make a big step in terms of performance and see us return to being the competitive team that we know we can be,” Team owner Lucio Pedercini confirmed. “2022 was a difficult year in many ways and after discussing with Angel – who is respected and brings a lot of experience like me from many years in the World Championship – it was an easy decision to make for us to join forces.

“The project is for a minimum of two years and our target is to become the top independent team within the World Superbike paddock.

“I still have a lot of passion and although we did the maximum we could this year, I am a competitor and I want to be at the front.”

“I didn’t have to think long when I contacted Lucio to join forces in this SBK project,” Angel Viñales added. “I have always felt extremely comfortable helping riders in the larger categories, in the end it is with the bikes that I have the most experience.

“I’ve spent more than 10 years in MotoGP and with the experience gained over these past two years with my own team, I think we can do a great job together and meet all the goals we can set for ourselves. I am looking forward to getting going to start giving it the change that we both believe the team needs and become a benchmark in the championship.”

27.10.2022 |
WorldSBK Staff |
WorldSBK

Kyle Smith will make his World Superbike debut with TPR Team Pedercini at the Mandalika International Street Circuit in Indonesia next month.

No stranger to the FIM Superbike World Championship paddock, Smith is a three-team race winner within the Supersport class, having competed across seven seasons, achieving seven further podiums and two pole positions in both Honda and Kawasaki colours. Previous experience found him aboard both Superstock 1000 and 600 machinery at the start of his career while more recent outings brought him to World Endurance and the British Superbike Championship.

2022 saw the Brit kick off his season in WorldSSP with the VFT Yamaha squad – the latter achieving a podium, in second position, at Estoril – before an untimely split mid-season. He now moves up to the Superbike class on the Kawasaki Ninja ZX10-RR, with his debut set for Mandalika, a circuit so far unknown to the 31-year-old. Smith will also compete for Pedercini at the season finale in Australia.

“I am really happy to have the opportunity to race in World Superbike with Team Pedercini,” Smith said of the announcement. “The only time I have ridden a Superbike was in World Endurance which is a different technical specification and so I am quite excited.

“I have also never ridden in Mandalika as I wasn’t there last year. I hope to learn from the experience and try to enjoy it and take it as it comes.

“I think Phillip Island will be a bit easier as I know the track, but I am ready for both events and looking forward to return to the World Superbike paddock.”

01.08.2022 |
WorldSBK staff |
WorldSBK

British Superbike youngster Ryan Vickers made his WorldSBK debut with TPR Team Pedercini at Most with a best finish of 17th.

There was a lot for FHO BMW rider to learn, but the team are pleased with the way he conducted himself and thank him for his efforts at a circuit and on a bike that was completely new to him.

“It was a really enjoyable first day and I really enjoyed my first laps on a WorldSBK Kawasaki. It was a big change getting back onboard a Kawasaki and a Kawasaki that is a completely new spec to anything I have ever ridden before,” said Vickers.

“The electronics too were new to me, but the team were great and really took their time to help me. I needed to ride in a completely different way, and it’s been great to be able to chat to Jonathan (Rea) to help me in this area.

“I had two silly little crashes but at the end of the weekend overall I adapted well. I went faster in most sessions and ended just two places from scoring a world championship point. I want to thank Lucio TPR Team Pedercini, they have been so welcoming and to Guim, and Johnny (Rea) and KRT for all of their help.

“It was also a lot of fun being on the paddock show and meeting so many fans. It’s been a great experience and I have loved it. I’ve learned a lot and I can hopefully put it into use again on the world stage in the future.”