Source: EBR.

EBR Motorcycles has confirmed that Team Hero EBR will be returning to field EBR’s American superbikes in the 2015 Superbike World championship, fielding Italian Niccolo Canepa alongside American veteran Larry Pegram on board the 1190RX.

For next season the team will continue to have a European base in Italy, but will have a new team structure and riders – with Pegram also taking on the role as team manager.

“This coming season is something very special for me and I can’t wait to get started,” Pegram said. “Moving to the EBR motorcycles for me was a big deal, as I have wanted forever to see an American brand in performance motorcycles.

“Although there were only a few AMA races in 2014, my team and I learned the EBR quickly. Our points finish in WSBK at Laguna and podium finish in the last AMA race weekend show the potential of this motorcycle and also convinced me and EBR that Pegram Racing could play a major role in moving the EBR World Superbike effort forward.”

Canepa has an exciting combination of years of experience successfully racing in World Superstock class (2007 champion), World Superbike (Evo runner-up in 2014) and MotoGP, and a background of development testing including at the MotoGP level.

“I’m delighted to join with Team Hero EBR for 2015 in the World Superbike Championship,” Canepa said. “This is the perfect opportunity for me to combine my development and my racing skills. Being on track with the EBRs in 2014, it was very exciting for me to see an American motorcycle in our championship.

“By the end of 2014 the 1190RX was getting quite fast. They came a long way from mid-season and really got my attention! I am looking forward to being part of the next step up in performance.”

Erik Buell Racing has also confirmed the continued association with Hero MotoCorp Ltd, who will play a pivotal part in EBR being on the grid next year. Headquartered in New Delhi, India, Hero MotoCorp is the world’s largest volume manufacturer of two-wheelers in terms of units sold in a calendar year by a single company.