Valentine 'excited' by Hill acquisition

Worx Crescent Suzuki team manager Jack Valentine says the decision to sign Tommy Hill was partly motivated by the opportunity to sign 'young ambitious rider'.

Hill makes his return to the British Superbike Championship at this weekend's Mallory Park round of the series after being signed to replace Michael Rutter, who in turn had been deputising for the injured Sylvain Guintoli.

Hill comes to the series after his maiden season in the World Superbike Championship was curtailed by a split with the Althea Honda team he began the year with.

Nonetheless, the former BSB race winner will make his return to the national series with the top Suzuki team, with Valentine pleased to have been able to snap up a promising young rider.

"We're really excited to have Tommy riding for us this weekend, he completed a successful test at Mallory and impressed us with his attitude. It's been very difficult to replace Sylvain and whilst Michael Rutter has done a sterling job, we felt the time was right to give a young ambitious rider a chance.

In addition, Hill arrives in the series having had considerable experience of the Pirelli rubber being used in 2009.

"Tommy fits that bill and the fact that he has been on Pirelli tyres since 2006 and was also running them in WSB, is another string to his bow."

Hill is so far only signed to race one round with the team, although Valentine has said there is scope for a longer tenure.