Milwaukee Team swap BMW for Aprilia for WorldSBK 2017
Josh Brookes left on the outer as Milwaukee BMW switch to Aprilia and sign Eugene Laverty and Lorenzo Savadori
With the Shaun Muir managed Milwaukee squad moving from BMW machinery to Aprilia RSV4 machines in 2017, it seems Josh Brookes has been left on the outer by the squad.
Brookes lifted the 2015 British Superbike Championship for the team in 2015, and has scored almost twice as many WorldSBK points this season as his Milwaukee teammate Karel Abraham.
It is likely the rider decision was forced on the Milwaukee team in order to gain recognition as an Aprilia Supported Factory Team, something the team clearly struggled without while campaining BMW machinery in WorldSBK this season. The agreement with Aprilia includes technical material and related direct assistance and support provided by Aprilia Racing, including bike development.
Brookes does have a few leads as to a competitive rider for season 2016 but is yet to finalise his decision as to whether he will remain in WorldSBK or return to British Superbike in 2017.
For the 2017 World Superbike Championship season two Aprilia RSV4 bikes will be on the track in the Milwaukee Aprilia Racing Team colours, with the two-year contract extending to 2018.
2015 Superstock Champion Lorenzo Savadori will ride for the Milwaukee Team in 2017 and will be joined by Eugene Laverty who returns to the WorldSBK ranks after a stint in MotoGP.
Shaun Muir – SMR General Manager
“For SMR, collaboration with Aprilia Racing for 2017 and 2018 means a real chance to fight for the win. Aprilia has a strong and victorious history in World Superbike and we are determined to continue on the same path. Having Eugene and Lorenzo on board makes this a dream team. Without a doubt, Eugene is coming back to WSBK for one reason only – to win. Lorenzo, on the other hand, is the fastest rookie and a sure protagonist. I wish to thank Milwaukee, Gulf and all of the partners who are supporting our project.”
Romano Albesiano – Aprilia Racing Manager
“Shaun Muir’s team, after making a good name for themselves in the British championship, wants to get to the top of a world category. Our agreement includes, in addition to providing bikes and materials, support from Aprilia Racing personnel to manage and develop the RSV4, within a Factory Support type relationship. The birth of the Milwaukee Aprilia Racing Team also marks Eugene Laverty’s return to WSBK, a rider who we know well and whose professional and personal qualities have our utmost respect. He will have Lorenzo Savadori working alongside him, a young rider who has been part of our sports project for two seasons in which he won the Superstock 1000 title first and then drew attention in WSBK with an extremely positive rookie year.”
Eugene Laverty
“I’m excited to return to Superbike with Aprilia and the RSV4, a bike with which I took ten wins and second place overall in the championship. I hope to be able to pick up where I left off with those results, thanks to the support of Aprilia and a fantastic team like Shaun Muir’s. Everything is in place for us to be competitive straight away.”
Lorenzo Savadori
“I am very happy to continue my adventure in World Superbike with Aprilia. This is another chance to achieve great results, with one more year of experience on the RSV4 for me. In a demanding rookie season I was already able to express a good performance level, learning a lot, both about race management and working in the garage, but I do not want to stop here. We will definitely be highly motivated at the start, with an ambitious project and a great desire to do well.”
