Vermeulen to race World Superbike in 2004 on Fireblade

The Ten Kate Honda team will compete in the 2004 World Superbike Championship with the new Honda Fireblade machine and newly-crowned World Supersport champion Chris Vermeulen.

Team owner Gerrit ten Kate said: “This is great news for our team, the championship, Chris Vermeulen and hopefully, when we achieve the success we desire, for Honda and its exciting new Fireblade machine.”

He continued: “After winning the World Supersport Championship for the past two years it’s great that we have a new target for 2004. The new Fireblade machine is made for racing, with its cassette-style gearbox, electronic steering damper and generic looks from the RC211V.

“We know Honda is happy this year with the CBR600RR taking the rider and manufacturer titles in World Supersport. We want to try and give Honda the same success now in World Superbike and, obviously, once again in the World Supersport Championship.”

Ten Kate concluded: “The new World Superbike technical rules are a positive step for a team like mine, offering great, new opportunities, just as Supersport offers. This is the beginning of a new era of Superbike racing.”

Vermeulen, 21, will contest the 13-round championship aboard the new four-cylinder, 1000cc machine as the talented Australian’s career rise continues.

“It’s fantastic to get the chance to move into World Superbike,” said Vermeulen. “It’s always been my dream to be able to move from World Supersport to World Superbike but to do it as champion is a special feeling.”

Vermeulen continued: “We know it’s going to be hard work getting a new machine dialled into ‘new’ circuits every weekend but I’m very confident that the Ten Kate team will be able to achieve that.”