BSB: Franco Bourne to join the Superstock grid in 2023

Franco Bourne will join the Superstock grid for the 2023 season. He will continue with the Marvel HCL Motorsport team, on board the championship-winning Honda Fireblade.

Bourne was runners-up in this year’s Junior Superstock championship. He took nine podiums across the season and now will join the Superstock 1000 grid. The team will be familiar to Bourne, with his crew chief Dave Hewson and Pete Boast continuing to help him.

Previously racing in the British Talent Cup, Bourne made his Junior Superstock debut in 2021 and showed great pace. He would continue in the class for 2022, an injury at Thruxton put a huge blow on Bourne’s championship charge. Even with a great end to his season, he was not able to beat his rival, Max Cook.

Bourne said: “It’s going to be a big step up from the 600 but I can’t wait to get going, learn the bike and the electronics.  We have a good pre-season test programme planned and some realistic targets.  I know what I am capable of and am confident we can continue the momentum from this year and have another strong season.”

Team Manager Matt Bainbridge added: “We all know how good Franco is. He was the only one consistently pushing Max Cook in races last year and had it not been for an unfortunate injury mid-season he would have no doubt pushed Max all the way for the Junior Superstock Championship.  He has earned his right to step up to the 1000cc class and we believe the way he had to ride the Kawasaki last season will suit the bigger bikes. 

“His feedback is very good, which will help he progression and bike development and off the bike he is always friendly and polite.  We are proud to support Franco in his career and are excited to start this next chapter stepping up to the Pirelli National Superstock Championship in 2023.”

Havier Beltran, Honda Racing UK said: “I’ve known Franco for many years having first met him in 2012 during the HM Plant days through the excellent Bikewise initiative. To watch his development and rise through the racing ranks winning the Honda British Talent Cup in 2020 and this year coming runner-up in the Pirelli National Junior Superstock Championship with MotoNovo has been fantastic to see.

“To go full circle and welcome Franco back into the Honda family on board the 2021 and 2022 championship-winning CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP. We all look forward to seeing him showcase his talents and watch his racing career continue to flourish.”

The Image is from britishsuperbike.com