With the recent announcement that former Suzuki MotoGP star John Hopkins will spearhead Tyco Suzuki’s 2014 British Superbike campaign, and the news of a second rider imminent – team manager Philip Neill reflected on his outgoing stars from 2013. The Tyco Suzuki team manager said: “We had a very enjoyable three year period with Josh Brookes which included 11 wins and numerous podiums in BSB, and we have also paved the way for what will undoubtedly be a successful road racing career for him.” Neill added: “We got involved with PJ Jacobsen as an absolute BSB rookie, first in Superstock, then in Supersport, before moving into British Superbike with him fairly rapidly. He had a strong debut season, but however as they say, ‘all good things come to an end’ and we’d like to wish both riders every success in the future.’ Tyco Suzuki’s second British Superbike rider for 2014 will be announced later this evening… More, from another press release issued by Tyco Suzuki: Tyco Suzuki is pleased to announce the signing of double Australian Superbike champion Josh Waters, which completes the Northern Ireland based team’s line-up for their 2014 British Superbike campaign. Waters will join former Suzuki MotoGP star and runner up in the 2011 BSB Championship, John Hopkins, aboard GSX-R machinery – forming an all-new and formidable partnership in Tyco Suzuki livery next term. Josh Waters: “I am really happy and excited to be joining Tyco Suzuki for the 2014 season. I’ve spent a lot of years racing with Suzuki in the past, and every year I was with them, they were very successful for me. “TAS Suzuki is a team I’ve followed for a long time, and it goes without saying, Hector and Philip Neill run a great team. I’m currently back home in Australia, but I can’t wait to start testing the GSX-R1000 Superbike for the 2014 season. I’m looking forward to it already and partnering John Hopkins in the Tyco Suzuki set-up is an added bonus.” Philip Neill – Team Manager: “It’s great to be able to announce our final British Superbike signing for 2014 in Josh Waters, which now leaves us to concentrate on the important task of further developing the GSX-R1000 Superbike in readiness for testing in the New Year. “Josh really is the ideal candidate to join us at Tyco Suzuki, having spent seven years racing GSX-R machinery in Australia; in addition to two very successful outings at the Suzuka 8-Hour with Yoshimura Suzuki. “I have known Josh since 2009 and have looked at a number of options to bring him to British championship. Now that we finally have the opportunity to work together, I’d like to formally welcome him to Tyco Suzuki. I’m confident we haven’t seen the best of Josh and everyone at Tyco Suzuki will be working hard to ensure he has the tools to show exactly what he is capable of in 2014.” Josh Water’s Profile Australian Career Highlights 2012 Australian Superbike Champion 2011 Runner up – Suzuka 8-Hour with Yoshimura Suzuki 2009 Australian Superbike Champion 2008 Australian Supersport Runner-up 2003 Australian 125GP Champion 24 Australian National Dirt Track Titles 2013 Season British Superbike Debut in 2013 Pole Position at Suzuka 8-Hour 2013 Best finish of fourth place in debut BSB season Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/tycosuzukibytas Follow us on Twitter: @tyco_suzuki www.tyco-suzuki.co.uk More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision: WATERS RETURNS TO SUZUKI IN 2014 MCE BSB WITH TYCO Double Australian Superbike champion Josh Waters will return to the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship in 2014 alongside John Hopkins, as he completes an all-international line up for the Tyco Suzuki team. Waters returns to Suzuki having celebrated two domestic Superbike Championship titles for them in Australia and was also part of the podium-finishing Yoshimura Suzuki team at the prestigious Suzuka Eight Hour race last year. Waters previously raced for seven seasons with Suzuki in Australia before making his debut in MCE BSB this year, scoring his best result of the year at the season finale at Brands Hatch with a fourth place. Waters said: “I obviously wanted to stay in the championship next season and to join the Tyco Suzuki team is a great opportunity for me. I have spent a lot of time in my career racing Suzukis and I have had some great years with them back home in Australia with a lot of success. I am looking forward to next year and getting back onboard the GSX-R1000 so I can’t wait to start testing with the team in the New Year so we are ready for the start of the new season. The team are really cool and being team-mates with John Hopkins is going to be really positive too so I am excited about next season already.” Team Manager Philip Neill concluded: “It’s great to be able to announce our final 2014 BSB signing, leaving us to concentrate on the important task of further developing the GSX-R1000 Superbike in readiness for testing in the New Year. Josh really is the ideal candidate to join us, having spent seven years racing GSX-R machinery in Australia, in addition to two very successful outings at the Suzuka 8-Hour with Yoshimura Suzuki. I have known Josh since 2009 and have looked at a number of options to bring him to BSB every year. Now that we finally have the opportunity to work together, I’d like to formally welcome him. I’m confident we haven’t seen the best of Josh and everyone at Tyco Suzuki will be working hard to ensure he has the tools to show what he is capable of in 2014.” For more information please visit www.britishsuperbike.com