As widely expected – their names were listed the 2013 MotoGP entry list – PBM UK has officially confirmed that they will expanding to two riders next season and fielding Yonny Hernandez and Michael Laverty.
PBM debuted in 2012 in MotoGP with a CRT team with James Ellison, and thanks to some extra funding by Dorna, the British team will now be able to field two riders.
Hernandez will be contesting the season on the Aprilia ART, while Laverty will be aboard a brand new machine being developed by the PBM UK team, and headed up by Technical Director Phil Borley.
The expansion is part of a long term plan by team owner Paul Bird in MotoGP to develop an all-British bike and with Laverty’s inclusion, he has kept his pledge to run a British rider, despite having a number of top foreign riders interested.
The team will also be running a brand new colour scheme which will be unveiled prior to testing next year.
Hernandez debuted in MotoGP in 2012 with Avintia Blusens but missed the last three races of the season after suffering a shoulder injury during the Motegi round that required surgery said, “I am really looking forward to next season and especially the first test when I can ride my ART bikes and start work with Paul Bird and the PBM UK team.
I have high expectations for the season with my goal to finish the highest placed CRT rider in the championship.
” “I’m really excited about racing in the 2013 MotoGP series; I’d like to thank Paul and the guys at PBM UK for giving me this opportunity.
I will be riding an Aprilia powered PBM machine with the new chassis and control electronics, I can’t wait to get started pre-season testing at Sepang in early February.
I will have to adapt to the Bridgestone tyres and carbon brakes plus learn a few new circuits along the way but I hope to be challenging for top CRT honours.
There are some experienced riders on CRT bikes so I am certainly not underestimating the challenge.
It’s great to be back with the PBM team, having spent three years there I should easily slot back in, next season makes PBM the team I’ve spent the longest with so far in my career.
It is going to be an interesting season with a lot to learn but I’m really up for the challenge,” said the 31-year old Laverty.
Paul Bird, Team Owner: “We have now finalised all the details of the contracts and I’m delighted to announce that both Yonny and Michael will be riding in MotoGP for us next season.
We learned a lot this season and we plan on building on that experience as we want to challenge for top CRT honours and I see no reason why we can’t.
It’s certainly going to be a very busy year for us, that’s for sure!”