Team Traction Control will return to the next round of the Motorpoint British Supersport Championship at Assen this weekend with a familiar two strong rider line-up as the team’s Superstock 600 contender Joe Francis will join American James Rispoli on the grid.
The legendary Assen circuit was where Rispoli scored his first podium finish in the championship last season and now the ‘Rocket’ is bidding for his first race victory.
Francis steps up for the Supersport class for this weekend, replacing Andy Reid who sustained a broken wrist after a crash whilst leading at Oulton Park after celebrating a debut win in the Sprint race.
Rispoli said: “This is the time where we are ready to try and push for wins because we know what we are capable of as a team. Both me and Andy [Reid] were pushing at the front at Oulton Park and we want more of that this weekend and with him out it is down to me. We are looking to win it is as simple as that, we are not stressing about it but we are ready to roll!”
Francis said: “I can’t wait for free practice one and it is such a great opportunity for me. I just need to take my time and learn the bike and do as many laps as I can to get a feel for it. It will definitely be hard moving into Supersport when everyone is running at lap record pace but these chances don’t come around often and so I am excited to do the best job I can for Team Traction Control. I am on the race winning bike on a great track – it can’t come soon enough!”
Team manager Grant Bunting commented: “We are all looking forward to Assen and we are looking forward to Joe making the step up to the Supersport class after Andy’s unfortunate injury. We wanted to give a young rider the chance and this is an ideal opportunity for him to show what he can do on the Supersport bike.”
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