Nagashima will wildcard for HRC at the WorldSBK finale

10/14/2024 04:14 AM

Team HRC will have a third rider on the World Superbike grid as test rider, Testusta Nagashima, confirms a wildcard appearance at Jerez.

Tetsuta Nagashima will make a wildcard appearance for HRC at the WorldSBK season finale this coming weekend at the Circuito de Jerez in Spain.

Nagashima has competed in World Superbikes before. He stepped in to replace injured Lecuona during the 2022 Australian WorldSBK round. Despite the tricky mixed conditions, a strong performance saw the Japanese rider finish ninth and tenth in the weekend's full-length races.

Supported by the HRC test team, Nagashima will rely on his experience of the CBR1000RR-R and his knowledge of the Jerez track, from his Moto2 days and tests carried out at the Andalusian circuit.

"I'm really looking forward to competing in the final round of the WorldSBK Championship at Jerez. I've been carrying out WorldSBK testing for a while now, and in 2022, I took part in my first and only race weekend in Australia, where the results weren't bad. I'm curious to see how the bike performs now and what we can achieve. I hope to gain a better understanding of the bike and identify the differences with respect to two years ago. I can't wait to be back in action."

Nagashima's wildcard at Jerez comes after Team HRC returned to a World Superbike podium at Estoril. In the first race of the weekend in the penultimate round of the season Iker Lecuona finished in third place. The Japanese manufacturer has made big steps in the latter stages of the 2024 World Superbike season.

Nagashima will not be the only Honda rider wildcarding at the final round of the 2024 season. British Superbike rider, Tommy Bridewell, will make his second wildcard appearance of the year with Honda Racing UK.

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