[BSB] Alastair Seeley

Alastair Seeeley va redescendre en supersport après une saison désastreuse en superbike et devrais très certainement quitter le team Suzuki. 5 courses disputées a la Northwest, 5 fois sur le podium dont 3 victoires. Il a plusieurs options mais veut être sur d’être a la Northwest et preferais ne pas avoir a changer de marque pour chaque course. Il est a la maison a la Northwest


Three wins from five podiums at the North West 200 back in May and all the plaudits that come with it, is a scenario that most riders can only dream of, but if you’re Alastair Seeley — sadly that’s not enough to empower the fans and media from plotting your demise.

Seeley’s day job in British Superbike this season with Tyco Suzuki brought only heartache and frustration, and despite the diminutive Carrick lad standing on the podium on the opening day at Brands Hatch back in April — the rest was like a trip down the Sarenne Gorge ski run in France: a rapid descent with no looking back.

For a rider who scored 10 wins and 450 points on his way to a British Supersport title in 2011, this season in British Superbike became a lonely, painful existence, with failure to score a solitary point in the final nine races, as he explained.

“Since I came in to British championship I’ve always made progress and climbed the ladder if you like, so this year was a new experience for me,” said Seeley. “A lot of things just snowballed over the year and in the end I felt like I was riding hard but the lap times just wouldn’t come.

“My confidence was shot,” he openly admitted, but to his credit, he refused to throw the towel in.

“Yes, it would have been so easy to walk away and say stuff it. But that’s not how I operate and I dug in and did the best I could.

“Looking back now I didn’t want any more crashes.

“It’s okay crashing while fighting at the sharp end, but it demoralises your crew when you crash outside the points.”

Despite the 2012 season having just concluded on Sunday past, Seeley has already made his mind up that a move back to the Supersport class is his number one choice.

“Supersport suits my style better,” he remarked, further explaining his reasons by saying: “I couldn’t get away from that style this year if I’m honest and struggled to adapt.”

Having taken two British titles in four seasons with TAS Racing, the question everyone is asking is, will he still be there next season?

“Suzuki has looked after me, as have Philip and Hector Neill, and I need to speak to them first.

“But I’d say it’s time for a new challenge for both parties.

“I don’t want to point fingers but I do need to rebuild my profile.

“I have a number of options but I need to make sure I’m covered for the North West 200 next May, and I’d prefer not to be riding for two or three different manufacturers there.”

Ca y est c'est confirmé, Alastair Seeley et TAS Suzuki, pour qui il a décroché les titres en supersporsport, superstock et plusieurs victoires a la Northwest se séparent a l’amiable. Apres une saison catastrophique en superbike il voulait redescendre en supersport et pas de place chez Suzuki. En esperant qu'il trouve un bon guidon et nous refasse un festival de victoires et podium a la Northwest.

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After four successful years together, which produced two British titles and numerous North West 200 wins, TAS Racing and Alastair Seeley have decided on an amicable split with the Ulsterman looking to pastures new, while Tyco Suzuki will remain in British Superbike with a two-rider line-up in 2013.
Team manager Philip Neill openly admitted that he would be sorry to see Alastair go, but didn’t rule out the opportunity for the 2011 British Supersport champion to return to the Suzuki fold in the future.
Neill said: “It’s never an enjoyable day when you have to let a rider go, especially when he has brought success to your team, but we have parted on very good terms and who knows, we may see Alastair back on one of our GSX-Rs in the future.
“After a tough year in BSB, Alastair has decided that he would like to return to the Supersport class – a decision that I fully support. Unfortunately we are unable to offer Alastair a position in Supersport at this time, as our main focus will again be in British Superbike with Tyco and Suzuki in 2013.
“There are only a handful of top rides in any class, and the last thing I wanted to do was hold Alastair back as he needs to move swiftly to secure a deal for next season. Everyone within the team wishes him well. He has done a sterling job for TAS Racing, Suzuki, Tyco and all our other associated sponsors this past four years, and I’m sure he will be successful wherever he goes.”

Seeley was also philosophical about the announcement and added: “I’ve had a great time working with Philip and Hector, all the boys in the team, Suzuki GB and our various sponsors. They took me to two British titles and I learned a lot about all aspects of the sport during this time. For that I’d like to thank them and Suzuki, but everything comes to an end at some point and I admire Philip for being honest with me so early after the season has finished. It allows me time to find a new position but I’ll still be calling in for a ‘brew’ and a yarn with the boys next year. It’s a small industry and as Philip says, who knows, I could be back on a Suzuki at some point before I hang the leathers up.”