The Bennetts British Superbike Championship (BSB) is a motorcycle racing series held in the United Kingdom. It is the most prestigious domestic motorcycle racing series in the UK, attracting some of the best riders in the world. The 2023 season is shaping up to be another thrilling one, with world-class riders such as Josh Brookes, Kyle Ryde, Glenn Irwin, Leon Haslam, and Tommy Bridewell looking to build on solid starts to their campaigns. 

This championship's exciting line-up will manifest in three headline BSB races on the GP circuit, set to shape the fierce title fight. The first race will roar into action following Saturday's qualifying, then a thrilling doubleheader on Sunday wraps up the high-octane weekend. To further enhance the experience for fans, check out THE BIKER GUIDE for information and products for Bikers. This will undoubtedly amplify the thrill and engagement of following the 2023 Bennetts British Superbike Championship.

Players to Watch

Noteworthy contenders emerge amidst the highly competitive field. While it is challenging to identify a clear favourite for the title, several riders have consistently demonstrated exceptional performances throughout their careers.

Josh Brookes is one of the most experienced riders in the championship and has won the title twice in his career. He will want to add a third title to his name this year. Kyle Ryde is another rider who has shown immense potential in the championship and finished third in the standings last year. He will aim to build on his success from last year and challenge for the title this year. Glenn Irwin has consistently performed in the championship and hopes to secure his first title this year.

Leon Haslam, a former champion, aims to improve upon his fifth-place finish in last year's standings, while Tommy Bridewell, who impressed with a fourth-place finish in the previous season, sets his sights on challenging for the championship crown.

Will there be a BSB Dark Horse?

Beyond the established names, there are always a few riders who surprise everyone with their performances. These dark horses have the potential to disrupt the title race and create upsets. They often benefit from being overlooked by their opponents, who tend to focus on the more prominent contenders. Additionally, their hunger to prove themselves drives them to take risks, catching their opponents off guard. One such rider this year is Danny Buchan, a former Superstock 1000 champion who exhibited promise in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship.  Buchan aims to improve upon his 11th-place finish in the standings last year, having already displayed his potential with a podium finish in the opening race of the season at Phillip Island. With 150/1 odds from various bookmakers, Buchan would be an outside bet for punters to try any of the best free bet offers available.

Type of Bikes

The Bennetts British Superbike Championship showcases a diverse range of bikes, each possessing unique characteristics. Renowned manufacturers such as Yamaha, Kawasaki, Ducati, BMW, and Suzuki participate in the championship, utilizing this platform to showcase their engineering prowess.

Ducati has recently been a dominant force in the championship, and the Panigale V4R is their weapon of choice. The Panigale V4R is a 998cc V4 engine that produces 220 horsepower and has a top speed of over 320km/h. The bike is known for its impressive power delivery and handling, making it a formidable opponent on the track.

Kawasaki has also been a strong contender in the championship and has won the title four times in the last six years. The Kawasaki ZX-10RR is their bike of choice, and it is powered by a 998cc inline-four engine that produces 200 horsepower. The cycle is known for its excellent handling and agility, making it a popular rider choice.

In recent years, BMW has been a manufacturer to watch in the championship, with the BMW S1000RR being their bike of choice. The S1000RR is powered by a 999cc inline-four engine that produces 205 horsepower and has a top speed of over 300 km/h. The bike is known for its precision handling and impressive acceleration.

Yamaha is another manufacturer that has been a consistent contender in the championship, with the Yamaha YZF-R1 being their bike of choice. The YZF-R1 is powered by a 998cc inline-four engine that produces 200 horsepower and has a top speed of over 300 km/h. The bike is known for its exceptional handling and agility, making it a popular rider choice.

Suzuki has also been a manufacturer to watch in the championship, with the Suzuki GSX-R1000 being their bike of choice. The GSX-R1000 is powered by a 999cc inline-four engine that produces 200 horsepower and has a top speed of over 300 km/h. The bike is known for its smooth power delivery and excellent handling.

Final Thoughts

As the 2023 Bennetts British Superbike Championship fast approaches, it promises high-octane thrill and fierce competition. With a line-up of top riders and powerful bikes from leading manufacturers, this season is all set for some exhilarating action. As the riders prepare to hit the track, spectators can expect a memorable season full of dynamic performances, upsets, and intense racing battles.

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Dymag, a world leader in lightweight wheels for the motorcycle industry, is delighted to announce sponsorship of renowned motorcycle champion, Peter Hickman.

Peter Hickman needs no introduction when it comes to Road Racing - the fastest rider to ever lap both the Isle of Man TT, Northwest 200 and Ulster Grand Prix circuits.

After a very successful IOM TT in 2022 with his first Supertwin win on the Paton, “Hicky” is setting his sights on more success in 2023 but this time on new machinery. 2023 will see Peter racing the Yamaha R7 built in-house at his PHR Performance headquarters. Not only will he compete at the TT but also the Northwest 200 road races. The bike has undergone extensive upgrades and improvements with the very best performance parts being added including the very latest Dymag racing wheels.

Dymag UK has been designing and manufacturing wheels for over 30 years, so to supply "Hicky" with their UP7X wheels for this new project is an ideal partnership. Peter's feedback can only help strengthen the already well-renowned UK brand. To top the partnership off PHR Performance has also become a retailer of the ever-popular aftermarket Dymag wheels.

Five times TT winner Peter Hickman said: “Dymag plays a key role in the racing world. Its wheels are ultra-light, meaning more performance from the motorcycle and faster changes of direction as well as being stronger than standard wheels, which is a huge benefit especially when racing on the road.

“Having the opportunity to run my Supertwin using the UP7X wheels is awesome and I’m delighted to be associated with Dymag. Last year I had huge success in the Supertwin races and I want this year to be no different, although I am under no illusions of just how hard it is going to be. It's a brand-new bike and nobody has any real experience with it yet in the UK and on the roads. The bike has been built by my PHR Performance Centre and is a new project for us. The team have done a great job, as we only received the bike recently but the finished bike looks mega, topped off with fantastic-looking wheels!

“I'm looking forward to running the bike next week at the NW200 and then onto the IOM TT!"

Tom de Lange, CEO of Dymag said: “On behalf of all of us at Dymag, we are delighted to support Peter Hickman on this project with our UP7X lightweight high-performance wheels. We wish him well in both the NW200 and IOM TT”.

The Touratech Travel Event will take place for the 18th time from 9th to 11th June 2023. Many thousands of motorcycle travellers from countries around the globe are expected to attend this mega spectacle, taking place around the headquarters of the motorcycle accessories manufacturer in Niedereschach, Germany.  

Within around two decades, the Touratech Travel Event has established itself as one of the most important motorcycle travel events in the world. The unique atmosphere with lots of international flair, celebrities and authentic adventure spirit attracts up to 15,000 motorcycle travellers to the Black Forest every year.  

The Touratech Travel Event is traditionally characterised by an exchange of experiences at eye level with well-travelled adventure professionals, relaxed "petrol talks", joint rides and lots of fun.

And Touratech does a lot to offer the Adventure Rider Community the perfect setting for their annual get-together. For a start, there are the high-calibre speakers, who can really stir up wanderlust with their elaborate multivision presentations on the huge stage. Duo93 and Dieter Schneider will be reporting on their adventures on Friday evening. On Saturday, influencers Sean & Emily will present their latest projects before headliner Dirk Schäfer takes the stage and shares with the audience impressions from his extraordinary motorcycle trip through Saudi Arabia.

Visitors can improve their adventure skills, together with like-minded people, in numerous free workshops. The spectrum of topics ranges from motorcycle tyres to professional GPS navigation. And you can also hone your riding technique, because this year there will again be high-quality adventure bike training sessions with competent instructors.

Don't miss out on a look behind the scenes in a factory tour, to learn how probably the best motorcycle accessories in the world are made. There will be a second-choice sale exclusively for visitors to the Travel Event, where products with tiny visual defects can be purchased at sensational bargain prices. And there will also be numerous special offers in the shop.

On the especially cordoned-off road in front of the festival grounds, the huge exhibitor mile will offer a great overview of the current range of touring adventure bikes. With BMW Motorrad, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Indian Motorcycle, Royal Enfield, Suzuki, Triumph and Yamaha, all the major manufacturers have announced their presence. And best of all: not only can the adventure bikes be examined extensively - test rides are also possible.

Numerous other Touratech partners will offer inspiring input for your next motorcycle trip at their information stands. Edelweiss Bike Travel, Enduro Center Mammutpark, Enduropark Hechlingen, GARMIN, Metzeler, REV'IT!, Stadler, SENA and many more will be there, on site.

Anyone wanting to feel the wind in their faces after all that input will have plenty of opportunity to do so at the Touratech Travel Event. The surrounding area offers fantastic motorcycle routes that can be ridden individually or in the context of guided tours.

A variety of food stalls will cater for the visitors' physical well-being and in the evening, galvanising live music will rev up the atmosphere. Those who like it quieter can relax by the campfire or end the day with old or new friends in front of their tents on the large camping meadow.

The Touratech Travel Event will take place from 9 to 11 June 2023 around the Touratech Headquarters in Niedereschach, Germany. Participation and camping are free of charge, guided tours and training sessions have to be booked in advance.

Information about the Touratech Travel Event 2023
Registration for Adventure Bike Training and Guided Tours

The collection of eight stamps entitled ‘Celebrating 100 Years of the Manx Grand Prix’ was issued today and the stamps feature a selection of riders who have raced on the world-famous 37¾ mile Isle of Man Mountain Course since 1923.

The collection is available at iompost.com/MGP100. 

This collection is in collaboration with author David Wright and local graphic designer and illustrator Tracey Dean.

They are incredibly proud of this collection and hope that it brings more attention and appreciation to the sport among a broader audience. 

Isle of Man Post Office is proud to present this collection of eight stamps celebrating the centenary of the Manx Grand Prix (MGP). The collection, which will be issued on 15th May 2023, was created in collaboration with author David Wright and designer Tracey Dean.

The MGP, as it is now known, was originally a single race called the Amateur Motorcycle Championship aimed at amateur riders, as opposed to the mostly professional riders who competed in the Tourist Trophy (TT) races. A century later, on the same world-famous 37¾ mile Isle of Man Mountain Course, the race has become a well-anticipated event, crowning motorcycle legends such as Geoff Duke, Phil Read, Carl Fogarty, Steve Hislop, and Michael Dunlop.

John McBride, Chairman of Manx Motor Cycle Club said: “Commemorating the centenary of the Manx Grand Prix is important to honour the history and significance that the event has played in the Island’s road racing history, and the stamps, adorned with some of the event’s motorcyclists from across the decades do just that. It’s a year filled with celebration for the Manx Grand Prix and the Manx Motor Cycle Club is delighted that this unique collection will be available to fans as it allows them to hold on to their own piece of Manx Grand Prix history. In addition to the stamps, there are a number of other special events taking place to mark the centenary celebrations including the “Legends of the Manx Grand Prix” parade lap that pays tribute to some those who have graduated from the races since 1923. More current racers that will be involved include Mick Grant, Ian Lougher, and Phillip McCallen to mention but a few, and that, the stamps will pay homage to the last 100 years, and look forward to the next.”

Isle of Man Stamps and Coins General Manager, Maxine Cannon added:

“We are thrilled to be a part of marking an exciting period in the history of the Manx Grand Prix. To many people, including myself, the Manx Grand Prix is a must-see and memorable event. I'm looking forward to hearing the roaring sounds of the machines flying around Mountain course this year”

The set consists of four se-tenant pairs with the following values 80p, £1.28, £1.51 and £1.75. Within the collection is a Set, Sheet Set, Presentation Pack (limited to 1100), First Day Cover (limited to 1500), Prestige Booklet and a Booklet Pane.

The full collection can be seen here - www.iompost.com/MGP100

Pictured above (from left to right): Tracey Dean, John McBride (Chairman of Manx Motorcycle Club [MMCC]), Ned Bowers (MMCC Financial Director and former MGP Competitor & Travelling Marshal), Dean Harrison (Former MGP Competitor & Travelling Marshal and Nathan Harrison's father), Nathan Harrison, Phil Taubman (MMCC Director and former Clerk of the Course), Maxine Cannon and Carolynn Sells

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