Fonsi Nieto and Ben Bostrom join World Superbike

World Superbike 2005
By blue2bikes
January 11 2005

After failing to gain a ride in the MotoGP series, the former 250cc Grand Prix series runner-up Fonsi Nieto has stated on his website that he will now ride in the World Superbike series this year.

Fonsi has joined the Ducati NCR team, and will be riding the 999RS in WSBK. Fonsi, the nephew of the great former World Champion Angel Nieto, will certainly be a rider to watch as he has all the attributes of Angel, and will not be riding just to make up the numbers.


Renegade pick their man.

With Frankie Chili having now signed for the Klaffi team, after having been linked to signing with Renegade; Noriyuki Haga having signed for Yamaha; and Leon Haslam already returned to the BSB series, Renegade have decided that Ben Bostrom will be the rider to take them to the World Superbike crown. The American star, who raced for Ducati in the WSBK from 2000-2002, and then in the AMA SBK series for Honda in 2003-2004, has signed a two-year contract with Renegade.

Mark Griffiths announced that Renegade is undergoing changes this
year, moving from their Cheshire base to just 1km down the road from the Bologna Ducati factory, and has also hired Ben’s 2001-2002 L&M Ducati factory mechanics. Forming a complete new team but still keeping their 2004 Chief Engineer, who enabled Noriyuki Haga to score six WSBK wins last year, despite strong requests from Yamaha for his services. Renegade will also be using the Honda FireBlade, as stated in an earlier report, with support from Honda Europe.

Ben is a rider highly respected by Honda, having ridden for them in the AMA SBK before switching to Ducati in 2000, then returning to Honda for the AMA SBK series in 2003. Mark Griffiths said, “Ben is no stranger to the bike and we are confident, with the help from Honda Europe, and the skill of our own engineers, we will have everything ready when we fly out to Qatar. The only thing Ben doesn’t know well are the Pirelli tyres.”

When asked why only a one rider team this year, Mark said, “Having one rider allows us to concentrate all our efforts and resources to a much higher degree, giving Ben and the team the best chance of winning.”

Renegade will retain Koji as their title sponsor, with Mark adding more sponsorship via a large number of Italian firms showing their interest.

Ben is a world renowned rider, and will undoubtedly be a success on the FireBlade for the Renegade team. An exciting rider, and I am sure that the British fans will give him a warm welcome when he rides here in the first round of the WSBK series.

The WSBK Series is going to be as exciting as one could wish for, with top riders all competing on top quality machines. With the ability of the riders involved, this will certainly bring back the series to the fore.