2014 World Superbike entry list so far

As the new year approaches, the 2014 World Superbike Championship is slowly taking shape with eight manufacturers set to partake next season.

Ollie Barstow

15 Dec 2013

Sykes, Race start,, German WSBK Race 1 2013
© Gold and Goose

It's taken its fair share of knocks over the last year or so, but the World Superbike Championship heads into the winter period looking somewhat healthier than it did twelve months ago.

While the advent of the new EVO class seems to be doing its part for bolstering grid numbers that were dwindling to pre-CRT MotoGP levels in 2013, with as many as eight manufacturers set to be represented in 2014 and a grid of experienced race winners already lined up, there is much to be excited about.

As it stands, each of the big rides are sewn up with no change at Kawasaki, new champion Tom Sykes once again being joined by Loris Baz, while BMW's exit sees Marco Melandri head to Aprilia to join Sylvain Guintoli, and Pata Honda retains a status quo with Jonathan Rea and Leon Haslam,

Following its divorce from Alstare after just once season, Ducati will entrust its challenge to Feel Racing under the 'Ducati Superbike Team' banner having lured the race-winning talents of Chaz Davies and Italian flag bearer Davide Giugliano to its line-up.

Somewhat unexpectedly, however, it's Suzuki that arguably represents the most intriguing line-up of the 'big manufacturers' with runner-up Eugene Laverty and new British Superbike Champion Alex Lowes (official confirmation notwithstanding) both landing at the Crescent Racing team after their much-anticipated MotoGP deals failed to materialise.

In addition, 2014 will be notable for the addition of two new manufacturers, with MV Agusta partnering with Supersport champions Yakhnich Motorsport and entering a single F4RR for Claudio Corti, while the iconic Erik Buell Racing brand will fly the American flag in 2014 with a welcomed Indian-financed effort.

Meanwhile, just three EVO entries have been confirmed - each of them Kawasaki - with Sheridan Morais, Michel Fabrizio and Jeremy Guarnoni eyeing the inaugural sub-category prize in 2014, though the likes of Fabien Foret and David Salom - plus at least two more Pedercini entries - are expected soon. Furthermore, Sylvain Barrier's anticipated BMW EVO entry will bring the number of represented manufacturers to eight.

Notably, however, with exception of the EVO teams, there remains a lack of satellite entries, particularly with Alstare, Red Devils Roma and MR Racing unlikely to return in 2014. Althea Racing are, however, expected to announce its entry shortly, most likely a factory-assisted Ducati 1199R for Niccolo Canepa.

It means, as we head towards Christmas, 15 entries are officially confirmed, with at least seven - if not more - in the pipeline.

Current 2014 World Superbike entry list

Tom SykesGBR Kawasaki Racing ZX-10R Loris BazFRA Kawasaki Racing ZX-10R Sylvain GuintoliFRA Aprilia Racing RSV4 Marco MelandriITA Aprilia Racing RSV4 Leon HaslamGBR Pata Honda CBR1000RR Jonathan ReaGBR Pata Honda CBR1000RR Eugene LavertyIRL Voltcom Crescent Suzuki GSX-R1000 Claudio CortiITA MV Agusta Reparto Corse F4RR Chaz DaviesGBR Ducati SBK 1199R Davide GiuglianoITA Ducati SBK 1199R Aaron YatesUSA Team Hero EBR 1190RX Geoff MayUSA Team Hero EBR 1190RX Michel FabrizioITA Grillini Kawasaki ZX-10R (E)Sheridan MoraisRSA Grillini Kawasaki ZX-10R (E)Jeremy GuarnoniFRA MRS Kawasaki ZX-10R (E)

Rumoured

Alex LowesGBR Voltcom Crescent Suzuki GSX-R1000 Niccolo CanepaITA Althea Ducati 1199R Fabien ForetFRA MAHI Kawasaki ZX-10R (E)David SalomESP Kawasaki Racing ZX-10R (E)Sylvain BarrierFRA BMW Italia S1000RR (E)Christian IddonGBR Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R (E)Luca ScassaITA Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R (E)