BSB | Moto Rapido Ducati announces new rider, sponsor and bike for 2019

Moto Rapido Ducati have this morning announced a triple header of news; the return of Tommy Bridewell for his first full season campaign with the Hampshire-based dealer team. A new sponsor partner, Oxford Products, and the bike – the new-for-2019 Ducati Panigale V4R – all ready for the 2019 Bennetts British Superbike Championship. 

Bridewell joined the team at Brands Hatch back in July and since then claimed the team’s best results in the Superbike class, scoring four podium finishes and narrowly missed out on a place in the Showdown, before delivering the Riders Cup honours at the season finale. Bridewell is a previous Showdown contender and race winner and is now looking ahead to his first test on the new Ducati Panigale V4R.

The team are also relishing the new venture with Oxford Products, a company that already has a rich motorcycle racing history dating back to the 70s with riders such as Robert Dunlop, Steve Hislop, Jim Moodie and Jeremy McWilliams, under the new guise of the Oxford Racing Ducati team.

Team Owner, Steve ‘Wilf’ Moore, and Oxford’s Managing Director, Andrew Hammond

Bridewell said: “I am just so excited to have this opportunity to stay with the team and to ride the new Ducati in our new Oxford colours. I joined the team halfway through last season, but the way we ended the season, and how well we gelled working together, it felt like it had been longer. I have never felt so comfortable and going into the new season with this consistency and confidence with the people around me is a big thing. 

“There is a huge amount of expectation with a new bike and I can’t wait to get testing. We are realistic that we have work ahead of us, that is always to be expected with a new bike, but it’s an exciting time and I couldn’t be happier to be in this position.  

“I was so nervous before riding a Ducati for the first time last year at Brands Hatch and then the season went from strength to strength and we were fighting for podiums. We want to carry that success into the new season and of course our expectations have changed, so we want to continue this momentum we have and build on an even better 2019.” 

Team Owner Steve Moore is delighted with their 2019 announcement, he said: “This is a great partnership for the Moto Rapido Racing team. Everyone at Oxford Products is clearly passionate about motorcycles and especially racing, so we quickly felt this would be a great match. 

"I’m, of course, very excited for next season with the new Ducati V4R, and with Oxford taking the title sponsorship we are now able to finally re-sign Tommy, our most successful rider ever. Now the V4R development begins. It is time to make a serious bid for this championship now as Oxford Racing Ducati.” 

Oxford's Managing Director Andrew Hammond commented: "We are extremely excited to be partnering up with Moto Rapido in 2019; as you can see, the whole company is behind the team. We look forward to extending Oxford’s race heritage in what is undoubtedly the world’s best domestic motorcycle race series.”