IT HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED THAT STUART EASTON WILL BE JOINING JOHN HOPKINS AT EPAYME THM YAMAHA FOR THE 2016 MCE BSB
Today (Wednesday 21st Oct), saw Team Manager Tommy Hill announce Stuart Easton as the second rider joining John Hopkins in the ePayMe THM Yamaha team. This partnership, provides the team with a strong rider line-up for the 2016 MCE British Superbike Championship.
After lifting the cup back in 2013 in the British Supersport, Easton has continued to be one of the strongest champions competing in the BSB. With three podium finishes at the beginning of the 2015 season, Easton was placing himself as one of the top six to compete in the showdown, but it seemed this wasn’t meant to be. After a crash at Brands Hatch in July, Easton was sidelined through inquiry. Despite gallant efforts to get back on the track, he was unable to return for the final rounds, finishing 11th.
Easton’s passion, determination and experience on the track will provide a great recipe for a strong performance for 2016.
Stuart Easton said: “I am really happy to have joined the THM ePayMe Yamaha team for next season…I was unlucky to have ended this season with the injury, but I feel confident about next season and the new challenge. Lots of people say you are as good as your last race and the last races I did when I was fully fit before my crash and was subsequently injured, I finished in second place twice at Knockhill so that bodes well! I feel like this season I have been riding as well as I have ever done and so next year is another big opportunity for me and I feel that myself, Hopper and Tommy all have points to prove on different levels and we can’t wait to get started.”
Team owner Tommy Hill commented: “I am delighted to have signed Stuart Easton to the new THM ePayMe Yamaha team for 2016. I have rated Stuart as a rider for many years; I rode with him as a team-mate and really feel he is more than capable of pushing for more race wins in 2016 given the right package and a team to support him. I have been talking closely with the SMR team who have worked with Stuart in the past; I feel his riding style will really match the characteristics of the new YZF-R1. It’s an exciting time with our two new signings and I hope that we can all have a great season together.”
ePayMe CEO, Andrew Johnston said “With a championship winning manufacturer, and now having Stuart Easton joining the team alongside John Hopkins, makes the ePayMe THM Yamaha Team a serious contender for its debut year in BSB. It was always our aim to get strong riders onboard the Yamaha R1, for both consistency and podium credits. The showdown would be amazing, but we need to remain realistic as a new team”
