Aprilia makes it eight manufacturers in BSB

Aprilia becomes the eighth manufacturer to commit to the British Superbike Championship in 2010, following fellow debutants BMW and KTM

Ollie Barstow

24 Feb 2010

Aprilia RSV4, Portuguese WSBK Test 2008
© Gold and Goose

Eight manufacturers will compete in the MCE British Superbike Championship in 2010 after Aprilia added its name to the list by entering two bikes into the Evo class under the Splitlath Motorsport banner.

The iconic Italian name will join Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Ducati, KTM and BMW by participating in the domestic Superbike series, entering two RSV-4s for brothers Chris and Joe Burns.

To be run under the guidance of Splitlath manager John Dimbylow, he was delighted to be the only Evo team thus far with a two-bike entry.

"We have entered BSB Evo as we really believe that it is the future," he said. "The beauty of the Aprilia is that it is a race bike with lights and we can make various changes at each round to help with the development.

"We are very excited that we have also been able to run a two-man team, especially to have Chris and Joe together. I think they will really push each other and this in turn will develop them both and the new Aprilia.

"We have testing planned for March and then we will be all set for Brands Hatch and hoping to get the season off to the best possible start. We are now looking forward to a consistent debut season."

In addition to bolstering the manufacturer entrants, together with Jentin BMW's announcement it will enter a bike for Steve Brogan in 2010, there is now a confirmed 32 riders on the BSB grid, with a total of 12 targeting the inaugural Evo crown.