British Superbikes: Takumi Takahashi joins Honda Racing UK for 2021 BSB season

TAKUMI Takahashi will join Glenn Irwin and Ryo Mizuno in Honda Racing UK colours to challenge for the 2021 British Superbike Championship season, with Round 1 starting on the 25th of June and taking place at Oulton Park. 

The trio will be racing aboard the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, a race-winning superbike that Takumi will find extremely familiar with his wealth of racing experience. Whilst Tom Neave also continues in the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Championship, aiming for the top after just missing out in 2020 as runner-up.

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The 31-year-old Japanese native is a noted test rider for Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), as well as making a wild card appearance in his home Japanese MotoGP race back in 2015 - you could say he’s well and truly part of the Honda Racing Family. 

Racing in the All Japan Road Race Championship, Takumi was champion in the GP250 class in 2008 & JSB1000 champion in 2017. Takumi has most recently been racing in the World Superbike Championship,  as well as enjoying success in the prestigious Suzuka 8 Hours, winning in 2010, 2013 & 2014. 

Despite his wealth of experience, to date Takumi has yet to race in the UK - so he can be classed a rookie on British soil joining as a contracted HRC rider! 

Takumi Takahashi

“I’m happy to announce that in the 2021 season, I will participate in the British Superbike Championship with Honda Racing UK. British Superbike runs on circuits I've never raced, so I’m looking forward to it from now on.

In the past, Ryuichi Kiyonari has won the championship, so I will do my best to be able to achieve good results.”

Havier Beltran – Honda Racing UK, team manager:

“The 2021 season is looking really exciting for Honda Racing UK, not only with the strong line-up we already had with Glenn, Ryo and Tom, but now to add Takumi and the experience he brings with him will really benefit the team. It’s been a busy few months organising

Takumi’s move, but I know we’re all looking forward to getting out for pre-season testing and of course racing at Oulton Park for the first round. The guys in the workshop are working hard behind the scenes on the Fireblades and we have a lot of things to test which have been developed over the winter. So, it’s all systems go and we’re looking forward to the season when we can go racing.”

Neil Fletcher - Head of Motorcycles, Honda UK:

“We’re delighted to welcome Takumi to the team and the 2021 BSB championship. Takumi will be a great addition to the rider line up, joining Glenn, Ryo and Tom and brings an impressive and experienced career that I’m sure will benefit the team this season.

It’s great that the jigsaw over the last few months is finally coming together, and we can now look forward to pre-season testing and we all can’t wait for the season to start at the end of June!”

Stuart Higgs – Bennetts BSB Series Director:

“The news of a third rider to the Honda Racing UK squad is good, the fact that is it a rider of the pedigree of Takumi Takahashi together with his HRC credentials is great!

This is an exceptional level of focus being placed on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship by Honda.

The first race event may still be just under three months away, but the anticipation of a hugely exciting season is immense.”

Best of luck to Takumi and the Honda Racing UK team for the 2021 BSB season!

For the full BSB calendar, check here.