Metcher, Rivas and McFadden miss out on opening round

PR Racing Kawasaki rider Jed Metcher and the MQ Motorsport duo of Dani Rivas and David McFadden will all sit out the opening rounds of the MCE British Superbike Championship this weekend after visa and financial issues respectively.

Australian Metcher, who tested the team’s ZX-10R last month at the Cartagena Pro-Test, was delayed from returning to the UK after being informed that his visa was incorrect, but hopes to be sorted in time for round two in two weeks time.

Team boss John Jameson explained: “This technicality only came to light on our return from testing in Cartagena. When we arrived back in the UK, UK Border Force informed Jed he has the wrong type of visa. The paperwork is now correct and Jed has returned to Australia awaiting the visa to be processed.”

MQ Motorsport, however, say that ‘severe delays to their funding’ have prevented the team from lining up on the grid, and they are currently anticipating that Snetterton, the fourth round of the series after the TT break in June, will be their first.

“It has been a real blow to us but we, as a team, have had to make the best decision possible for this situation. I would like to thank Dani and David for their understanding and also their commitment and patience throughout this difficult time. But I would also like to reassure them and their sponsors that we as a team are completely committed to getting on the track as soon as possible.”