News 12 Feb 2016

Kawasaki introduces 2016 WorldSBK team

Latest Ninja ZX-10R contenders officially break cover.

Source: Supplied.

Source: Supplied.

Striking colours and graphics on the all-new 2016 Ninja ZX-10R were unveiled by KRT riders Jonathan Rea and Tom Sykes, with Motocard, Elf Total and Monster Energy logos on prominent display on the sides of the new machine.

The event included a retrospective of the recent challenges and successes that have shaped the double championship winning team in the 2015 season, as well as presenting the awesome new Ninja ZX-10R in its final WorldSBK form.

“Remembering our first contacts with Kawasaki in 2008 with Steve Guttridge, Pere Riba, Mr. Tamura-San, Mr. Honda-San,” Guim Roda, KRT team manager, said. “We where put in charge of Kawasaki Supersport effort. There was three years of hard work before moving to WorldSBK in 2012.

“And now we are here, in Barcelona, the city chosen by Kawasaki to unveil the new production Ninja ZX-10R as a way to close ties with the work done at the races with the KRT, which is also based in Barcelona.

“So, that’s why we want to say thank you for all the confidence and support received from Kawasaki to keep running the KRT project and also to all Japanese engineers that today cannot be here; they are also the soul of this adventure.”

A busy evening included interviews with riders Jonathan Rea (champion in 2015) and Tom Sykes (champion in 2013), videos featuring key moments in Kawasaki’s racing history and speeches from the assembled dignitaries.

“Of course I feel the pressure because we made an incredible season last year,” Rea commented. “I went away after the final round, I had some weeks at home, and then there was the birth of our new baby boy. That gave me some weeks to relax. I needed to find some more deep, extra, motivation to come back and not aim for top three again but defend my position as world champion.

“I started my pre-season preparations earlier than in 2014 or 2015 and I am already in good shape. We have our hands on a new ZX-10R, which I am really excited about. The best way to approach our season is the same step-by-step way as we did in 2015.

“I am excited to start the season and we do not have to wait too long. I am excited to start, excited to race and to try and defend my championship with the best support in the world.”

Thursday evening’s event attracted a lot of well-timed public and media attention for the reigning Riders and Manufacturers’ champions, given that the season itself gets underway shortly at Phillip Island in Australia, between 26 and 28 February.

Recent