TAS Racing retains Rory Skinner, switches to Ducati for 2025 BSB

TAS Racing has announced it is ending its partnership with BMW in favour of a switch to Ducati machinery for the 2025 British Superbike Championship, while Rory Skinner will remain on board for a second season.

A mainstay of the BSB series, TAS Racing has competed with BMW hardware since it swapped from Suzuki machinery in 2015.

However, after relinquishing its factory nominated BMW Motorrad UK status to rivals FHO Racing in 2023, TAS Racing will embark on a new chapter for 2025 as Ducati customer in both the BSB and British Supersport.

Ex-Moto2 rider Skinner will remain with TAS Racing to head up its new venture - which will be known as Cheshire Mouldings Ducati - with the Scotsman hoping to tap into more of the form that made him a first-time BSB race winner at Knockhill amid an otherwise injury hindered 2024 BSB campaign.

“First of all I am delighted to remain in the TAS Racing set up for 2025,” he said. “We enjoyed a win this season in BSB and with a change of machinery to Ducati for 2025 – a bike that has been a major success in BSB with various riders and team – I firmly believe we can be at the sharp end all year.

“It’s an honour to be representing such a prestigious brand and I’m sure the bike will have a stand out appearance in Cheshire Mouldings Ducati livery, prepared by TAS Racing.”

In addition to Skinner, TAS Racing will return to the British Supersport class it won under the Relentless Suzuki banner back in 2007 and 2011.

It will enter a Ducati Panigale V2 for exciting up-and-comer Edoardo Colombi, the 18-year old Brazilian having cut his teeth in the UK this season with a run to the runners-up spot in the National Sportbike Championship.

“We are extremely happy to announce this new relationship with Ducati,” TAS Racing team principal Philip Neill said. “On a personal level I have always admired Ducati and wondered if we might ever have the opportunity to race with this iconic brand.

“We are really pleased to continue with Rory for a second year, and also to welcome Edoardo to TAS Racing. I believe these two young riders are a perfect combination and together with the proven capabilities of both the Ducati V4 R and V2 machinery, we are excited for the future.

“None of this would be possible without the support of our commercial partners, so to extend our title partnership with Cheshire Mouldings and continued support from Milwaukee really is a dream scenario for us.”