honda makes a Bold Move Back to Ohlins Suspension for 2025 Racing" to raise the professional team to the world stage”>World Superbike Season
Table of Contents
- 1. honda makes a Bold Move Back to Ohlins Suspension for 2025 World Superbike Season
- 2. What improvements in performance does Honda expect from the switch back to Ohlins suspension?
- 3. Archyde News Exclusive: A Chat with Honda World Superbike Team Manager Jose Escamez on the Big Switch to Ohlins
- 4. Welcome, Jose! Let’s dive right in. honda is back with Ohlins. What led to this crucial decision?
- 5. how did the 2025 pre-season testing at Jerez go, especially with the new Ohlins setup?
- 6. What can fans expect from honda and the CBR1000RR-R in the 2025 World Superbike season?
- 7. Lastly, Jose, what’s one aspect of racing you think goes beyond the technicalities that enthuses you about this upcoming season?
The winds of change are blowing through the Honda World superbike team as they prepare for the 2025 season. The Japanese manufacturer has made a significant switch, rejoining forces with suspension specialists Ohlins after a short stint with Showa in 2022. This marks a pivotal moment for Honda, who are hoping this change will propel them further up the grid after a year of consistent progress.
Opening day at the Jerez test saw exciting developments for the Honda squad. Xavi Vierge took to the track, piloting the CBR1000RR-R to a seventh-place finish with a 1’39.916s best lap time. The seasoned rider tackled 81 laps, familiarizing himself with the new Ohlins setup and laying the groundwork for the season ahead. Simultaneously occurring, test rider Tetsuta Nagashima also logged valuable mileage, clocking 81 laps and contributing crucial data to the team’s analysis.
Team Manager Jose Escamez expressed his satisfaction with the day’s performance, stating, “ The day has been good because the weather has respected the predictions from Tuesday. so far, we are good enough, we can say but not happy at all. It’s quite good. Xavi has been doing laps and everything looks as we expected.This means we’re likewise that we finished last year, which is already a positive point. We’re still looking forward.”
This return to Ohlins is significant, especially as Vierge and Lecuona will be the first to race the CBR1000RR-R with the illustrious brand’s suspension.The manufacturer has a rich history with Ohlins, with the duo partnering on the bikes raced by Alvaro Bautista and Leon Haslam in 2020 and 2021.Escamez elaborated on the reasoning behind the switch, emphasizing its potential to further elevate the team’s performance: “It’s going to be a way of creating or establishing a base setup. It’s been quite good. We have found, quickly, the right way to keep going. We have been working to find a good base setup, and this will help the riders feel cozy for lap times, of course, and there are some differences with the previous suspension we’ve been using. Just trying to understand but there’s not much difference, though. There’s a small advancement in performance and also feedback from riders. It’s a fair enough reason to let them ride with this one.”
The next chapter in Honda’s World Superbike journey promises to be exciting.With a renewed focus on performance and the backing of a proven suspension partner,the team is poised to build on its achievements and fight for victory in the 2025 championship. Don’t miss a moment; stay tuned to the 2025 world Superbike season with the WorldSBK VideoPass!
What improvements in performance does Honda expect from the switch back to Ohlins suspension?
Archyde News Exclusive: A Chat with Honda World Superbike Team Manager Jose Escamez on the Big Switch to Ohlins
In a significant move ahead of the 2025 World Superbike season, Honda has announced its return to Ohlins suspension, leaving Showa behind. Archyde caught up with Honda World Superbike Team Manager Jose Escamez to discuss this strategic shift and the team’s promising start at the Jerez test.
Welcome, Jose! Let’s dive right in. honda is back with Ohlins. What led to this crucial decision?
‘After a brief experimentation with Showa last year, we’ve decided to comeback to Ohlins for 2025. Our history with them speaks for itself. The partnership in 2020 and 2021 brought us many triumphant races and podiums. We believe that teaming up again with Ohlins will further boost our performance and help us fight for victories this season.’
how did the 2025 pre-season testing at Jerez go, especially with the new Ohlins setup?
‘The Jerez test was promising. Xavi Vierge clocked a 1’39.916s best lap and both he and Tetsuta Nagashima logged valuable mileage. It was positive to see that we’ve matched our pace from the end of last season, if not improved. The team’s working well with the new Ohlins suspension, and both riders are feeling pleasant.’
What can fans expect from honda and the CBR1000RR-R in the 2025 World Superbike season?
‘Fans can look forward to exciting racing! With Ohlins on board, we’re aiming for consistent front-running performances and, of course, victories. We’ve made steady progress as our return to World Superbike, and with this new partnership, we’re poised to take it to the next level.’
Lastly, Jose, what’s one aspect of racing you think goes beyond the technicalities that enthuses you about this upcoming season?
‘For me, it’s the constant evolution of the teams and bikes that keeps things exciting. Each season brings new challenges and innovations. It’s like a puzzle where you’re always finding new pieces to make the picture clearer and sharper.’
Stay tuned to Archyde for more exclusive interviews and updates on the 2025 World superbike season. don’t miss a moment of the action with the WorldSBK VideoPass!
