Farmer, Ryde switch to Buildbase Suzuki

Keith Farmer and Kyle Ryde have been signed as the new-look Buildbase Suzuki riders for the 2020 Bennetts British Superbike championship.

With Bradley Ray splitting from the team after three years to head to Tyco BMW and the Hawk Racing-run squad cutting ties to Luke Stapleford, former Superstock 1000 champion Farmer has been called up and effectively switches places with Ray between the two teams.

“Last year started well but obviously I had the crash at Knockhill and the injury was pretty significant,” Farmer said, having been ruled out of action by a broken leg a Knockhill. “Honestly, I didn’t expect to be in as good a shape as I am now, but since then I have done everything I can to keep fit and get back to full fitness as soon as possible.

“That’s been working in the gym, cycling, physio, and even changing my diet. I’ve been back on a supermoto bike to try and keep bike fit, and the movement I have in the legs and ankles is pretty good.

“I’m excited for next season, it’s a winning bike and I think I’ll have a team around me that want to give me as much bike time as possible so we can have the best season we can. The goal is top-10s from the start, and push towards the top-six and hopefully mix it with the Showdown contenders.”

After struggling to adapt to BSB over the past two years, Ryde had expected to target a Supestock 1000 rider for 2020 and is thankful to Hawk Racing team manager Steve Hicken for handing him an opportunity.

“I enjoyed riding the Superstock GSX-R at Donington, and to be honest I was looking for a Superstock 1000 ride for next season but Steve has given me this chance and I’m really thankful and looking forward to it,” he said.

“The stocker had a great chassis and gave me a good feeling from the front, which is one thing that’s really important to me as a rider. I know the Superbike will be a different animal again but I’m in a team that has a lot of experience with the Suzuki, and a team that will help me learn and develop.

“If we can start off in the points, hopefully we can build from there and progress towards and into the top-10.”