Buckmaster slams Kennedy's BSB move

Simon Buckmaster, team manager of the PTR Honda squad, has slammed his 2014 World Supersport rider Jack Kennedy’s MCE British Superbike move. Writing in his often controversial blog, the former racer hit out at the Irishman for leaving world championship racing behind to pursue ‘short term gains.’

The Dubliner made his championship debut in 2013 with the Rivamoto Honda squad, and finished his rookie season in seventh, but had a disappointing season with Buckmaster’s team in 2014. He finished the championship in twelfth after five DNFs from eleven races, despite taking his maiden podium in the class.

He now returns to domestic racing for 2015, joining the WD40 squad for an assault on the BSB title. But Buckmaster claims that, having left the world scene, the options to return to it will be severely limited for the 27 year old.

“Despite more mistakes than Jack or I would have liked, I believed he could have mounted a much better challenge in 2015.  I think it is a real shame he did not have the courage to trust in his own ability to do that and has taken short-term gain over what could potentially have been a great career at World level.”

“It is hard to see any way back for him now back out of BSB.  Jack is a nice guy who I really wish all the best for.  I can’t see how he will be able to challenge seriously for the showdown with his Superbike experience and against teams of a higher level.  That said I hope he does shine and get his chance to challenge for the BSB title in the future now he has decided that is his career route.”