Elias stays in MotoAmerica with Team Hammer Suzuki switch

Former Moto2 world champion Toni Elias will continue to compete in the MotoAmerica Superbike championship with Suzuki following his move to Team Hammer M4 Ecstar Suzuki.

With Team Hammer gaining official Suzuki team status in 2020 following Yoshimura Suzuki’s step back in the series, Elias has duly made the switch for this year as he targets a second MotoAmerica riders’ title.

Elias made his debut in the American Superbike series in 2016 after leaving MotoGP and ended his rookie campaign in third place overall, before he stormed to the MotoAmerica title in 2017. The Spaniard has also finished championship runner-up for the past two years.

“I am excited for this new way and happy to build something together with Suzuki and Team Hammer,” Elias said. “The goal is to keep performing at the same high level, continuing to win races, earn the podium, and fight for the championship.

“We have a lot of work to do as the competition will be strong, so we know we must do a nice job and have a good effort. We are very determined and I am happy to get this opportunity.”

In just four seasons, Elias is already joint-fourth in the all-time list for most wins in MotoAmerica Superbikes tying with Miguel Duhamel.

Suzuki has confirmed the full Team Hammer M4 team line-up for the 2020 season will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

After an initial stint in MotoGP between 2005 and 2009, Elias returned to Moto2 to become the inaugural winner of the rebranded world championship which duly earnt him a return to MotoGP with LCR Honda in 2011.

Following mixed results the Spanish rider moved into the World Superbike championship in midway through 2013 and 2014 with Aprilia before making the full-time switch to the United States in MotoAmerica with Suzuki in 2016.