Blog

Team HRC has formally revealed the latest iteration of its Honda CBR1000RR-R package ahead of the 2024 WorldSBK Championship for riders Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge.

The Japanese manufacturer is preparing for its fifth season since returning to the series as full factory entry in conjunction with the Spanish-based Team HRC set-up it also uses in MotoGP.

The new season heralds the launch of an updated Fireblade package which Honda is pinning hopes on to improve the manufacturer’s fortunes in WorldSBK after achieving only modest results in the four seasons since its return.

Scoring only a single podium with Vierge in Indonesia last year, Honda – which enters into a third season with both the Spaniard and ex-MotoGP rider team-mate Lecuona – has high hopes the improvements will see it getting amongst the lead fight in 2024.

It will, however, do so without Leon Camier at the helm, the former WorldSBK rider having been ousted from his position as team manager in favour of new boss Jose Manuel Escamez.

“The main challenge is to become competitive with the new bike as soon as possible”, he told the WorldSBK website. “There are many updates across all areas of the machine, so we need to bring it all together and find a base setup that allows our riders to fully exploit the bike’s potential.

“The next challenge will be to consistently compete for top-five positions and secure some podium finishes.

“We are aware that this is a significant challenge, considering the high level of competition in the championship, but we are working tirelessly to achieve that goal.”