Image: Foremost Media.

Five-time New Zealand champion and Australian Superbike Championship race winner Robbie Bugden has joined Ficeda Accessories as national motorsport manager of Dunlop Tyres.

The Queenslander, who retired from full-time professional competition at the end of last season, began in the role this month and will be across Dunlop’s domestic motorcycle racing activities.

“It is a good opportunity for me,” Bugden told CycleOnline.com.au. “Throughout my Superbike career I’d raced with Dunlop tyres, won five New Zealand Superbike Championships, a handful of ASBK race wins, top three in the ASBK series a number of times, so to continue my career after racing with Dunlop is something I’m pretty excited about. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Through much of this ASBK season Bugden has been trackside with the BCperformance Junior Team, working closely with Supersport 300 class newcomer Ben Baker. Fittingly, the Kawasaki BCperformance – Budgen’s former team – squad of Bryan Staring and Kyle Buckley has become the primary Dunlop-equppied organisation in the ASBK during 2018.

“The BCperformance team has been doing a fantastic job and Bryan has been representing the brand really well – he’s definitely showing the Dunlop product is as good as anything out there at the moment,” he added. “Along with Dunlop, we’re going to continue to head in that same direction, come up with the best product and service that we can.”

Bugden will be in charge of Dunlop’s tyre service at the circuit, offering advice and technical support to Dunlop riders, looking after sponsorship incentive programs and overseeing Dunlop’s involvement in Australian motorcycle racing.