BSB: Chrissy Rouse set for Superbike return with Crowe Performance BMW

Chrissy Rouse will make his full-time Bennetts British Superbike Championship debut this season after reuniting with Crowe Performance BMW.

Back in 2020, Rouse’s Superstock 1000 season was saved at the last minute when TT and roads rider Phil Crowe stepped in to help build and loan him a BMW from his Lincolnshire workshop. Rouse went on to win the title that year.

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The Geordie maths teacher will now work with Crowe once again and will race a BMW M1000 RR Superbike prepared by Crowe Performance.

“We are going to be running a very similar set-up to what we had in 2020, with our own team running a Crowe Performance BMW,” Rouse said. “I know it is going to be a huge commitment but I’m really excited and both mine and the team’s aim this year is to just get stuck in and do our best.

“I’m under no illusions and know this is going to be a massive step-up for all of us. We have lots of things still to get sorted out before the first round but I’m confident we are in a good position. Although we don’t have a title sponsor, we have a consortium of loyal original personal sponsors along with some new partners coming on board, more of which we plan to reveal in the coming weeks.”

2022 will be Rouse’s first full campaign in BSB. The 26-year-old entered a handful of rounds with Halsall Racing in 2018 before being ruled out with a broken left hand and right wrist caused by a crash at Cadwell Park.

Alongside his exploits in the Superstock class, Rouse is also the 2013 Triumph Triple Challenge Champion. His 2021 Superstock campaign didn’t go as smoothly onboard a GR Motorsport Kawasaki. Rouse ended the year seventh overall with only one victory to his name.

“It has always been my dream to get to British Superbikes and I feel that this is the perfect time in my life and career to make that step,” Rouse added. “This is something I’ve been planning and working towards for a long time, and I’m delighted to be making this next part of my journey with Crowe Performance once again. I know it’s going to be hard, but I am really looking forward to building on the success we had together in 2020.”

The first official BSB test takes place at Snetterton on March 26-27, and will be followed by a one-day test at Donington on March 31. Silverstone then holds a two-day test on April 6-7, with the new season kicking off at Silverstone on April 15-17.