BSB: Niccolo Canepa joins MCAMS Yamaha

Niccolo Canepa joins MCAMS Yamaha for the final two rounds of the British Superbike Championship.

Niccolo Canepa will join the MCAMS Yamaha team for the final two rounds of British Superbikes. He will race alongside Jason O’Halloran and replace Luke Stapleford who was riding for the team at Oulton Park.

A space was left empty after Tim Neave exited the team ahead of Knockhill, leaving the team with one rider. Neave was soon replaced by multiple riders including Tito Rabat, Luke Stapleford, and now Canepa.

He will join the MCAMS Yamaha team which is currently in fourth position in the teams’ trophy standings. It comes in MCAMS’ final season after Team Owner, Steve Rodgers will step back after over 30 years in motorsport. Next season, OMG Racing will take the place as Yamaha’s official BSB-supported team.

The Italian has previously ridden both Donington Park and Brands Hatch in the past, in the European Superstock Championship. He would win the competitive Championship in 2007 onboard a Ducati 1098S.

He joined the YART Yamaha EWC Official Team in 2019 after his success with the GMT94 team. Canepa has experienced great success in the Endurance World Championship, including a win at the 2023 Spa 24-Hour. This win ended Yamaha’s 14-year drought of 24-hour success in the EWC.

Niccolo Canepa became an EWC Champion after the YART Yamaha team finished fourth at the Bol d’Or. The YART Yamaha squad won the title with Canepa, Karel Hanika, Marvin Fritz, and reserve rider Robin Mulhauser.

Canepa said: “I’m excited to join the BSB grid next weekend. During my career, I have raced in many championships but never British Superbikes, so I’m excited and proud to join McAMS Yamaha for the final two races.

“I’ve always seen the team as the best in BSB so to be asked to join them for their final two races is special for me. I know the championship is difficult and the level is high, but I hope to bring the team some good results.”

Steve Rodgers concluded: “In our time as Yamaha’s official British Superbike team, we’ve worked very closely with Yamaha Motor Europe’s Racing Department and we know Niccolò has been very keen to race in BSB for a while, but the right opportunity has not been there until now.

“He’s probably got more experience of riding the R1 in different specifications than anyone, from the full WorldSBK-spec machine, EWC, Italian championship, and a whole host of other R1s given his work as the official test rider for Yamaha.

“He knows Donington well and has raced WorldSBK there in the recent past, while he’s not a stranger to Brands Hatch either from his European Superstock days. We’re looking forward to having him in the team and seeing what he makes of our R1.”

Image credit: britishsuperbike.com