Abraham confirms Milwaukee Yamaha WSBK talks
MotoGP rider Karel Abraham has confirmed he is currently negotiating with Shaun Muir Racing about a potential switch to World Superbikes as the team looks to step up from the British Superbike championship.
The Czech rider has recently be linked with Shaun Muir's Milwaukee Yamaha squad which is aiming to graduate into World Superbikes after clinching the BSB title with Josh Brookes. Both Brookes and Muir have openly voiced their intent for 2016 and Abraham has been rumoured as a candidate for taking up the second rider slot next season.
Abraham, who has struggled in MotoGP this year with a series of poor performances and injuries, has confirmed he's discussing the potential switch to WSBK but talks are still ongoing.
"At the moment we didn't sign anything but there is a very important meeting coming up for us where we will discuss the possibilities with team principal Shaun Muir," Abraham said on Worldsbk.com. "After that both sides can decide."
"I have been in world championship environment since I was 15 and had some up and down seasons. Of course I have the best memories from Moto2 where I won a race and also from MotoGP especially with Ducati, where I had my best results. It is true that I have some opportunities in World Superbikes now and they seem to be very interesting."
Abraham could potentially join an increasing band of riders switching from the Grand Prix scene into the World Superbike championship after Jordi Torres and Randy de Puniet made the transition last year.
Former MotoGP world champion Nicky Hayden also recently announced he is to convert to World Superbikes with Ronald ten Kate's Honda squad in 2016 and Abraham also sees the attraction of the move but is aware the transition for some riders can be a challenge.
"Sometimes I get a bit confused about the performance of GP riders in WSBK or WSBK riders in MotoGP," he explained. "You can't really say if the bike will fit the rider well. It is always very hard to get adapted in a new class and of course everyone wants to win so if I come here I will do my best as I always have to be competitive."
Milwaukee Yamaha is yet to finalise its 2016 plans after missing out on the factory Yamaha contract in WSBK to Crescent Racing. The team is looking to potentially line up a switch to Aprilia or Suzuki machinery, while also being linked with a privateer Yamaha entry.
