WSB Barcelona Test: 2021 livery reveal round-up

Ahead of the official two-day World Superbike test in several teams unveiled their brand-new liveries for the 2021 season.

Kawasaki, Honda and Yamaha took the covers off of their respective 2021 machines, whilst the Barni Racing Team also revealed a new-look for their Ducati V4 R. Here’s a round-up of all the liveries revealed this week.

Kawasaki

The reigning champions enter the new season with a brand-new bike, the 2021 Ninja ZX-10RR, and a brand-new look inspired by Kawasaki liveries of the past.

The new design features white contrast panels on the lower sections of the redesigned bodywork, alongside a red section for sponsor Motocard. The middle section of the design in black, with the paint job finished off with the traditional green of Kawasaki.

Reigning six-time champion Jonathan Rea remains with the team, as does 2013 British Superbike champion Alex Lowes. The former enters his second campaign with KRT, having won one race during his debut year with Team Green, and is currently recovering from a shoulder injury.

Honda

Team HRC unveiled their updated livery through their social media channels, with the presentation filmed in the team garage.

The livery remains largely the same as last year’s design, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The red, blue and white design is a favourite amongst WorldSBK fans and certainly stands out both on our TV screens and in person at the circuit.

The most noticeable addition to the livery is the Motul sponsorship. Motul becomes an official sponsor and official lubricant supplier of Team HRC for the 2021 season. Another addition to the team this year is Leon Camier, who becomes team manager following his retirement from racing.

This season marks the second year of development for the latest Honda Fireblade, with riders Leon Haslam and Alvaro Bautista hoping to take the bike to the next level this season. Last year, Bautista took the bike to its maiden podium at Aragon, whilst Haslam secured a season-best of fourth. Both riders ended 2020 with 113 points.

Yamaha

The factory Pata Yamaha squad’s R1 has been given a splash of red this year. Their R1 remains primarily blue, but now features the red of new co-title partner, business modelling software company BRIXX.

The red of BMP Tapas also has a bigger presence, whilst McAMS – title sponsors of the factory BSB team – also come onboard as a sponsor.

Toprak Razgatlioglu remains for a second campaign after ending 2020 fourth overall with three victories and six further podiums. He’s joined by reigning World Supersport champion Andrea Locatelli. The Italian dominated WorldSSP last year, securing 12 victories from 15 races.

Garrett Gerloff and Kohta Nozane also revealed the GRT Yamaha team’s stunning blue livery, which remains largely the same as 2020.

Barni Racing Ducati

Like Team GoEleven, the Barni Racing Team has moved away from the traditional red of Ducati. The livery is primarily black with dashes of red throughout. The decision was made following feedback from supporters regarding the all-carbon black design used at the Misano Test.

Tito Rabat will ride the team’s V4 R this year after making the switch from MotoGP. Rabat lost his ride at the Avintia Ducati team to Luca Marini. Rabat won the Moto2 title in 2014 and will be hoping to adjust quickly to the Superbike championship.

Rea topped the times on day one of the Barcelona test, with all five manufacturers represented in the top five. Haslam, Gerloff, Scott Redding and Tom Sykes completed the top five.