Relentless Suzuki by TAS Racing is pleased to announce the signing of Atsushi Watanabe, the 2002 and 2007 Japanese Superbike Champion, who will race the all-new GSX–R1000 for the Irish based team in the 2009 British Superbike Championship. Atsushi made his British Superbike debut this season under the guidance of the Rizla Suzuki team, giving him the chance to learn 12 new circuits, whilst also adapting to the European culture.
The 32-year-old from Hamamatsu in Japan has a wealth of experience riding GSX–R machinery and earlier this year he finished runner up in the Suzuka 8 Hour Race, riding a Yoshimura Suzuki alongside Daisaku Sakai.
Philip Neill – Team Principal“We are very pleased to have secured Atsushi’s services for the 2009 British Superbike Championship and we look forward to welcoming, both he and his wife, to our base in Northern Ireland. We trust they will enjoy the Irish hospitality and also our way of life.
Atsushi is obviously an immensely talented rider, indicated not only by his results, but also by his status in Japan with Suzuki. He brings a wealth of experience to our team and his development experience throughout the GSX–R range, will I’m sure, prove to be invaluable. Everyone at TAS Racing is excited about this new chapter and we’re already looking forward to testing and developing the 2009 GSX–R1000 with Atsushi in the coming months.”
Atsushi Watanabe“After enjoying my first season in BSB, I’m now very excited to be joining the Relentless Suzuki team for 2009. I am aware of their past results and pedigree, both in British championship and also in international road racing, so I am confident that we can move forward together in 2009 with the all-new GSX–R1000 Suzuki.”
