Gino Rea will switch to the Buildbase Suzuki team for the second round of the 2020 Britis💦h Superbike Championship at Snetterton this weekend, with Tom Ward assuming his vacated seat at Bike Devil Racing.

Rea announce♔d on Monday [17 August] that he was leaving Bike Devil Racing after just a single round, before today’s confirmation he will be on the Buildbase Suzuki a🔯longside Kyle Ryde for the Norfolk event.

Rea’s call up comes aft🉐er original signing Keith Farmer was left nursing a shoulder injury in an accident at💟 the Donington Park season opener. The event was set to be his first in almost a year having been forced to sit out much of 2019 with a leg injury.

It will be a return to Suzuki machinery for Rea, who made his BSB debut with OMG Racing in 2018 when 🌸it previously ran privateer GSXR-1000R bikes.

“ܫObviously first and foremost I want to wish Keith well; it’s never nice to see a rider injured and especially to see him coming back from injury and be sidelined again so soonꩵ, so I wish him all the best. For me, I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with a professional and experienced team in this paddock.

“I’ve got one full year of BSB under my belt and last year I had a few one off rides, so I’m hoping the chance to work with 💜the Buildbase Suzuki team will give me the chance to show what I can do. I’ve got past experience with the GSX-R so hopefully that base will mean we can get off to 𓂃a good start this weekend.”

Rea’s seat at B𓄧ike Devil Racing – which is running Kawasaki machinery in 2019 having originally planned to use Ducati bikes – will be assumed by Superstock 1000 podium winner Tom Wa꧟rd

“I am really excited for this opportunity as I have always been part of my own team and so everything was always down to me to improve,” Ward said. “To be able to work with a full team and with PJ [Pete Jennings] as a crew chief is a big opportunity for me💫.

“I haven’t ridden since March so I am under no illusions that it will be a big learning weekend especially as I have never tested a Supe🌳rbike, but this is a great chance and when one door closes another opens. I can’t wait to get started.”