Ryde joins Alfreton race team

Alfreton-based motorcycle racing team CF Motorsport have today revealed their rider line-up for 2014.

They will once again be contesting both the British Supersport Championship, with Cal Cooper, and the National Superstock 600 Championships, with Jacksdale ace Kyle Ryde.

The team have also announced a new title sponsor in PaceDayz European Trackdays.

They will be looking to build on a successful debut season, in which they achieved several wins across both the British Supersport Cup and the Superstock 600 Championship.

Cooper will make the step up to the Supersport class after impressing in the Superstock 600s last season.

Having joined the CF Motorsport squad part way through the year, the Manxman went on to score six consecutive podiums, including three race wins.

Ryde, who is still only 16, has a wealth of experience at British Championship, Spanish Championship and World level.

The youngster won the British 125GP Championship and ACU Academy Cup in 2011 before moving on to compete in the Redbull Rookies and Spanish CEV series.

During that time he also made a number of wildcard appearances in the World Moto3 Championship.

The PaceDayz team will be heading out the Spain in February for several tests ahead of the start of the 2014 campaign, which kicks-off at Brands Hatch over the Easter weekend.

Team boss, Craig Fitzpatrick: “I am very pleased to have signed Kyle and Cal for this year.

“I think we have two exceptional riders here and hopefully we can continue to help them develop and build on the success we achieved last year.

“Obviously we already know Cal and what he is capable of. He is a fantastic kid and I am thrilled that we will be working together again this year.

“Supersport is going to be a big step up for him, but we are confident that we can be competitive.”

“I am very pleased to have signed this deal with Kyle. He is undoubtedly a very talented young rider and I am very much looking forward to working with him.

“This will be Kyle’s first year on a 600, so we know that he will have a lot to learn, but hopefully, with plenty of testing planned, we will be able to hit the ground running come the start of the season.”

Kyle Ryde: “I am happy to be joining CF Motorsport. It’s a really good team and it’s a bonus to have a rider like Cal as my team mate. He was on the Superstock bike last year and obviously had it going well, so we can hopefully use that to our advantage.

“I have not ridden a 600 before but I am confident that, with the testing in Spain and the experience of the team around me, we can be competitive from the first round.

“I want to say a big thanks to John Cooper at HCM Electrical for his continued support.”

Cal Cooper: “I’m very happy to be riding for CF Motorsport again this season as in my eyes, and many others, they are a good team. I am a both nervous and excited about moving up to Supersport, but I believe we can do well in the class and our aim is hopefully a top eight finish.”