BSB: Tom Ward to replace the injured Franco Bourne at Cadwell Park

Pirelli National Superstock Championship race winner Tom Ward will return to the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Cadwell Park this weekend as a replacement for Franco Bourne.

Bourne is recovering from injuries sustained in a big crash at Thruxton earlier this month, with Ward jumping onboard his Rapid Honda Fireblade.

Ward currently sits fifth in the Superstock standings after taking a single victory and three further podiums so far in 2024 onboard the Armada Marine Cable Honda Fireblade. Ward is 62 points behind championship leader Davey Todd.

“I’m really excited and grateful for the opportunity to ride this weekend at Cadwell Park,” Ward said. “It’s great to be riding a Honda and especially with Rapid as we already have a great relationship with the team.

“I’m excited for the challenge and feel ready to take this opportunity. There’s no expectation – just to go out, enjoy and hopefully progress with the bike and team. I need to thank Rapid for this great opportunity.”

Ward has been inside the BSB paddock since 2011, first entering the Triumph Triple Challenge before moving into the Superstock 600 category in 2014. He secured his maiden podium at Silverstone the following year, before celebrating his first victories at Donington and Snetterton in 2016.

Ward moved into the British Supersport Championship in 2017 and podiumed at Assen, before securing a best result of sixth in his maiden Superstock 1000 campaign the following year. Despite running as a family-run privateer entry in 2019, Ward was able to claim multiple top 10s as well as a single podium in the season finale at Brands Hatch.

In 2020 Ward got his first BSB opportunity with Bike Devil Kawasaki, but this partnership only lasted three rounds. A return to the Superstock class with Hawk Racing Suzuki followed in 2021, consistently featuring inside the top 10.

Ward rode an Aprilia RSV4 in 2022 and raced in the Endurance World Championship last season.

Rapid Honda Team Owner, Matt Bainbridge commented: “Cadwell Park is one of the most physically demanding circuits on the calendar, so we’ve made the mutual decision with Franco to sit him out of this round so he can continue his recovery.

“His pace and speed are evident now, so we don’t need to rush his recovery and we are working together to ensure that he is fully fit for the next round at Oulton Park. We have also scheduled a test beforehand so there is no reason why we won’t be back up to speed straight away.

“Tom was the clear choice for us to deputise for Franco and the only call we made. He has shown obvious speed this year, winning at Brands Hatch and other podiums in Superstock.

“Rapid Honda have been supporting his Armada Marine Cables Racing team during the season too, which is another reason we know Tom was the perfect choice.  Thank you to them for fully supporting Tom standing in this weekend too.”