Image: Keith Muir.

Kawasaki BCperformance has confirmed it will transfer to the Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) in 2017 with Australasian title-winning duo Robbie Bugden and Kyle Buckley.

Bugden clinched the Australasian Superbike Championship (FX-ASC) series this year and Buckley won the Supersport crown in Sydney last weekend.

Both will ride for Kawasaki BCperformance in the ASBK from next year aboard the team’s Kawasaki Motors Australia-supported Ninja ZX-10Rs.

“I’m really pumped to continue working with the Kawasaki BCperformance team in 2017,” Bugden 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!”

Buckley has worked his way through the ranks from the Kawasaki Insurance FX300 Ninja Cup into Supersport and now onto the ASBK Superbike division with Kawasaki BCperformance.

“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,” Buckley said. “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 percent effort leading into 2017 to be as fit, fast and focused as I can be for the year ahead. 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.”

Team manager Kelvin Reilly commented: “After the ASC success we had with the Superbike and Supersport titles, along with a second in the Kawasaki Insurances FX300 Ninja Cup and a third in the Formula OZ 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 contend 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 two seasons and wish Evan all the best in the future.”