Martin Jessopp

Martin Jessopp will team up with Michael Rutter in an all-new BSB Ducati team backed by Riders (owned by Jessop's father, Phil), Bathams Brewery and Black Horse Finance.The bikes will be up-rated versions of the 2008 1098RS vee-twins raced in BSB by Rutter in 2008.

Jessopp (24) has previously raced Ducatis - a 999 in the 2004 National Superstock series and British Supersport 749s in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

For the past two seasons he's raced a Honda in the BSB Cup competition, finishing runner-up in 2008 and third this year.

He said: "I had a good season on the 749 in 2007. We shed 10kg off it so it was really lightweight but we also had some reliability issues.

"I've ridden the Honda for two years now but I'm looking forward to getting back on a Ducati.

"The vee-twins certainly suit my style - the way I ride with lots of lean angle."

The team have three bikes - two complete machines - and under new BSB rules - a spare bike in component form that will be in the truck if needed."

The original bikes were built to the 2008 BSB rules demanding more standard ‘supersport build' components ands tuning but under the current FIM - which the serie went back to last year - can be rebuilt to FIM spec with aftermarket racing components and full tuning.

The changes are expected to yield an extra 20bhp on top of what Rutter was able to use last year when he raced the bikes in the final two BSB rounds of the season.

Posted on 08/12/2009