Wayne Maxwell joins Team Suzuki
The Victorian will pilot a GSX-R1000 in the 2013 Australian Superbike Championship -- but that's it for Suzuki, which has been forced to downsize after severe budget cutsTeam Suzuki will defend its Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) with Wayne Maxwell in 2013, the experienced Victorian signing with the squad to pilot a factory-supported GSX-R1000.
Maxwell, 30, finished runner-up last year behind former Team Suzuki rider Josh Waters in the 2012 ASBK series, and is now setting his sights on a first Australian Superbike title with Suzuki.
As well as the seven-round ASBK championship, Team Suzuki will also contest the World Superbike (WSBK) and MotoGP support races. Maxwell’s initial testing at Phillip Island has the team positive about his chances in this year’s championship.
“I’m very excited to be joining Team Suzuki for this season, and to work with Phil Tainton is something I’m really looking forward to as well,” Maxwell commented. “I already feel really comfortable with the GSX-R1000 and the atmosphere within the team is really fantastic.
“I have a point to prove, so to have this opportunity with Team Suzuki and the Phil Tainton Racing team is unbelievable. Suzuki has a great legacy with success in Superbike racing on a domestic level and it is my priority for 2013 to help the team in defending the title.”
Due to budget cuts Team Suzuki will only field Maxwell in 2013, unable to find a spot for its former top-running Supersport rider Brodie Waters.
“Wayne has been Josh’s biggest threat over a number of years, so now that he has moved onto an international career it was the logical choice to have Wayne join Team Suzuki,” Tainton explained. “We wish Josh the best in his endeavours overseas and we are very excited to have Wayne on board to claim another ASBK championship with Team Suzuki in 2013.
“We’re also pleased to continue our relationship with Dunlop tyres for this season as they have supported the team for as long as it’s existed. I don’t think it will take Wayne long to adapt to our race bike, we’ve had a lot of years developing the suspension and settings, so it’s all coming together very positively at this point. I am confident that we will hit the ground running and take it to the opposition from the outset.”
Team Suzuki’s maiden outing for the 2013 race season will be at the Phillip Island World Superbike round from February 22-24.
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