Chilean racer Maximilian Scheib joins 2020 WorldSBK grid

Chile will be represented on the 2020 WorldSBK grid after Orelac Kawasaki confirmed Maximilian Scheib as its rider for next season.

The Spanish outfit competed in WorldSBK with Leandro Mercado, scoring five top ten finishes – including a top six at Donington Park – but lost the Argentinian to new entrants Motocorsa Racing Ducati.

As such, Orelac has turned to up-and-coming Superbike rider Scheib, a race winner at European Superstock 1000 level, for its 2020 WorldSBK bid

Hailing from Chile, Scheib finished third overall to outgoing BMW WorldSBK rider Markus Reiterberger and the experienced Roberto Tamburini aboard a stock Aprilia RSV4 in 2018, before finishing runner-up on Kawasaki machinery in the Spanish Superbike series this year.

Scheib has started WorldSBK races before, being called up as a deputy for Jordi Torres at the factory MV Agusta team for two rounds. He went on to score points on his debut in Argentina, though the 2020 WorldSBK season will mark his full-time debut.

"It is a dream come true, so much that it is hard for me to assimilate it, being in SBK in 2020 is something that I have to thank both José Calero and the entire Orelac Racing structure, they have thought of me and trusting my talent I am very excited about this adventure and I want to start now as soon as possible.

“This will be a year without pressure, but clearly, I have my expectations I want to start calm but working hard in the preseason, I don't know the layout of Phillip Island and I know that both there and in Qatar the rivals will be very strong, but when I get to Europe I can show all my talent.

Maximilian Scheib brings international flavour to 2020 WorldSBK grid

Scheib’s confirmation means 20 riders are now confirmed to compete in the 2020 WorldSBK season and though this rises to 21 if you include Mercado’s Motocorsa team, which enters from round three onwards.

With MIE Honda still to confirm its second rider and Brixx Ducati expected to at least compete in the European rounds, there should be as many as 23 starters on the grid for much of the season, not including wildcards.

Scheib’s presence also increases the international appeal on the grid, joining incoming American Garrett Gerloff (GRT Junior Yamaha) and Takumi Takahashi (MIE Honda) in extending the series’ interest globally.