Norick Haga will race in the BSB with Swan Yamaha

The Japanese rider has been chosen by the Swan Yamaha team to replace the British rider Ian Hutchinson for the entire season, after he suffered a serious crash during a training session for an exhibition event, in which he fractured his tibia and fibula once again.

In this way, Haga is not hanging up his leathers. Since he did not appear in the provisional entry lists for the World Superbike Championship, there had been doubts about the future of the winner of 43 races, runner-up three times and third in four other seasons in the “other” world championship.

Fans of the fantastic Japanese rider will be able to keep enjoying his distinctive riding style, which we have grown used to, in a championship whose circuits he knows well , and where he has won or stood on the podium, such as Brands Hatch, Donington Park, Silverstone and Assen.

Statements from Noriyuki Haga:

Racing in the BSB is a new challenge for me, and I am ready to do it alongside the Swan Yamaha team. I believe it will be like a fresh start in my racing career after so many years in World Superbikes. The BSB is a championship that has grown a great deal, and I know I have many fans in the United Kingdom. It is also my return to Yamaha, where I spent many years and achieved great success; it is like coming home.

I don’t know all the circuits we will be racing at, but I will give 100% to win the BSB. Both my fans and Yamaha deserve it. We will start testing very soon, and I am eager to get back on track. Finally, I hope Ian Hutchinson recovers from his injury as soon as possible.

Statements from Shaun Muir (team owner):

It has been very difficult to have to replace Hutchinson four weeks before the start of pre-season. We had to go out and look for a competitive rider, and the truth is we could not have chosen better. We are delighted with Noriyuki’s arrival and look forward to welcoming him.

Noriyuki has a great deal of experience in the Superbike category, and he also has a strong relationship with Yamaha, so we are delighted that they are reunited. Last year our Swan Yamaha team won the title, and Haga is ready for the BSB challenge and has come here to win.

Source | Yamaha
Photo | Asphalt & Rubber