WSB: Stefan Bradl confirmed alongside Hayden at Honda

Stefan Bradl will join Nicky Hayden in Honda’s World Superbike team next season, it has been confirmed.

The 2011 Moto2 champion will mirror Hayden’s move from MotoGP to World Superbikes for 2017 to line-up alongside the American on what is expected to be a brand new CBR1000RR Fireblade.

Taking the place of Dutchman Michael van der Mark in the team, Bradl brings both youth and a vast range of experience to Honda’s World Superbike fold having ridden a range of Grand Prix machinery since stepping up to the premier class in 2012.

The German’s sole MotoGP podium and pole positions came with Honda in his time with Lucio Cechinello’s LCR satellite team.

“I’m really happy to join the Honda WorldSBK Team for the 2017 season,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity for me and I’m really looking forward to this new challenge with a really competitive team and I’m sure we’ll do great things together. Of course, this is going to be a whole new experience for me but I will try to adapt as quickly as possible, in order to get some really good results. I can’t wait to try the Fireblade and, obviously, it’ll be fantastic to work together with Nicky: I think it’s a fantastic combination because we understand each other really well. We can all look forward to the future and I am super motivated for this new journey.”

Following Bradl’s move, MCN understands Michael van der Mark is set to announce a deal with Yamaha Factory Racing in coming weeks.