World SBK: Aaron Yates Joins Geoff May on Team Hero EBR 1190 RX

2014 Team Hero EBR Team

At the debut AIMExpo in Florida this past October, Erik Buell Racing provided many headlines across the motorcycle industry.

First was the EBR 1190RX – an American sportbike that produces 185 horsepower and has a wet weight of 419 lb. Next, EBR confirmed it was entering 2014 World Superbike, which would make it the first American manufacturer to ever field a bike in the series.

EBR also said the team will consist of the American Geoff May and another rider. The problem was this other rider was unknown. But this all changed this week when EBR confirmed the second rider on the 2014 Team Hero EBR team – Aaron Yates.

Yates, who has over 20 years of motorcycle-racing experience, joined May on the EBR AMA Superbike Team. The 40-year old of Georgia finished eight overall in 2013 AMA SuperBike.

The team will be run by Claudio Quintarelli, Team Owner, and Giulio Bardi, Team Manager, both proud to field the first American motorcycle to contest the World Championship with two American riders.

Erik Buell, a former racer himself, remains optimistic about the challenges the team will face in 2014 World Superbike.

Erik Buell says: “More than three decades of racing, engineering, and manufacturing experience goes into every EBR motorcycle” said Erik Buell, Founder, EBR Motorcycles. The EBR 1190RX has some very unique engineering technology, and how to optimize this for each race series is something that takes time to learn. With the winter testing ban, we will have to wait and see where we are in terms of current pace and performance. Nobody is expecting podiums, but we will be hard at work, learning and improving. We are confident EBR will bring a fun and exciting story to the series, and know the results will come.”

Pawan Munjal (Managing Director & CEO, Hero MotoCorp Ltd) says: “We are delighted to be partnering with EBR at the Superbike World Championship this year. Hero is the first Indian two-wheeler brand to be associated with this event and this is also the debut year for Team Hero EBR at the series. This is in perfect sync with brand Hero’s fast-paced global expansion into new international markets. I am sure it is going to be a lot of fun and we do look forward to some exciting times at the championships this year.”

Javier Alonso (WSBK Executive Director) says: “It is a great pleasure for WSBK to welcome an attractive and unique brand like EBR to the series. The American Manufacturer is the eighth different brand to compete in this new and challenging edition of the Championship, and we are equally confident that their involvement will add to the show. It is really good to have two American riders on the starting grid again representing a strong nationality in the history of the series.”