Baz to make WorldSBK return with Althea BMW
Loris Baz will return to the World Superbike Championship in 2018 after signing a one-year deal with the Althea BMW squad, who will scale back its effort to a one-bike entry.
Frenchman Baz last rode in WorldSBK in 2014 with the factory Kawasaki team alongside 2013 world champion Tom Sykes, before signing a deal to move to MotoGP with the Forward Racing outfit.
Baz moved to the Avintia Ducati team for 2016 when Forward pulled out of the premier class, and remained with the Spanish outfit for 2017, putting in consistent results aboard the GP15.
However, this did not stop Avintia from opting to replace him with 2014 Moto2 world champion Tito Rabat and Tasca Racing Moto2 rider Xavier Simeon – both of whom coming with substantial backing.
Baz had been linked with one of the vacant seats at Red Bull Honda, as well as with MV Agusta, though both have since been taken up by ex-MV rider Leon Camier and outgoing Althea man Jordi Torres, while the second Honda is expected to go to Jake Gagne.
“I am entering a new chapter back in WorldSBK, where everything started for me and where I took my first steps on the racing ladder,” said Baz.
“It was not easy to find the best bike as I cam from MotoGP, but I think I have found one of the best teams.
“It’s the team that helped Carlos Checa win and they’ve been following me for a long time.
“I am joining a structure that knows me and who knows what I can do. It’s encouraging and motivating.”
The 24-year-old is not fazed by the prospect of being the only BMW rider on the grid in 2018, and feels the change to the technical regulations could help him battle for top results. He is also not expecting the transition back to WorldSBK from MotoGP to be too tough.
“I do not think so, because I come from WorldSBK,” he said when asked if returning would be difficult.
“The tyres have not changed drastically since I left, and the bikes are similar.
“I think it may take me a few laps to adjust, but I’m not really worried about that.
“With the changes to the regulations, I think there will be an opportunity to get some good results.
“I hope that we will have the opportunity to be on the podium or to even push for the victory.”
Baz will have have his first test on the S1000RR on the Monday and Tuesday of next week at the Jerez Circuit in Spain.