James Ellison takes to the roads in maiden NW200 bid

British Superbike Championship race winner James Ellison has announced he will take to the roads this year with an entry into the 2020 North West 200 on a Suzuki.

The ex-MotoGP rider is currently without a ride in BSB after a difficult 2019 campaign that began with Smiths Racing BMW before he started one event for Bike Devil Sweda MV Agusta and then ended the year as an OMG Suzuki rider.

However, while there are still some BSB seats to decide, Ellison will remain active in 2020 with a first foray in the NW200 International event where he will ride a Suzuki GSX-R1000 for Powerslide Motorcycles. He will be joined by Powerslide director Brad Clarke – also making his debut - in the two-man team.

“Can finally say that my good mate, ex-MotoGP rider and BSB contender JD Ellison is out here with me and is going to be riding a Powerslide GSXR-1000R at this year’s North West 200 alongside myself as I make my roads debut,” Clarke said in a Facebook post.

“Been made to feel most welcome over here but very surreal to have a legend like James representing our dealership at this massive event.

“Got a lot to sort out over the next few months and a lot of updates on the progression but big thanks to everyone that has supported us and the sponsors that have come on board so far.”

Ellison follows in the wheeltracks of several BSB regulars that have also competed in at the North West 200 with the likes of Alastair Seeley, Peter Hickman, Michael Rutter and Glenn Irwin regularly participating in the event.