Kyle Smith set for WorldSBK debut with Pedercini

Kyle Smith will make his World Superbike debut with TPR Team Pedercini at the Mandalika International Street Circuit in Indonesia next month.

No stranger to the FIM Superbike World Championship paddock, Smith is a three-team race winner within the Supersport class, having competed across seven seasons, achieving seven further podiums and two pole positions in both Honda and Kawasaki colours. Previous experience found him aboard both Superstock 1000 and 600 machinery at the start of his career while more recent outings brought him to World Endurance and the British Superbike Championship.

2022 saw the Brit kick off his season in WorldSSP with the VFT Yamaha squad - the latter achieving a podium, in second position, at Estoril - before an untimely split mid-season. He now moves up to the Superbike class on the Kawasaki Ninja ZX10-RR, with his debut set for Mandalika, a circuit so far unknown to the 31-year-old. Smith will also compete for Pedercini at the season finale in Australia.

“I am really happy to have the opportunity to race in World Superbike with Team Pedercini,” Smith said of the announcement. “The only time I have ridden a Superbike was in World Endurance which is a different technical specification and so I am quite excited.

“I have also never ridden in Mandalika as I wasn’t there last year. I hope to learn from the experience and try to enjoy it and take it as it comes.

“I think Phillip Island will be a bit easier as I know the track, but I am ready for both events and looking forward to return to the World Superbike paddock.”