Paul Bird decided not to renew James Ellison’s MotoGP contract next season, preferring Michael Laverty and Yonny Hernandez (they are indicated on the 2013 provisional MotoGP entry list, but the formal announcement has yet to be made).
However Ellison didn’t didn’t have to wait too long to find another ride and will now be returning to the British World Superbike championship in 2013 after concluding a deal with his former boss Shaun Muir (Shaun Muir Racing team) who also announced a new title partnership with Milwaukee Tool Corporation.
“I am really happy to be part of this team and the championship again as I feel that I still have unfinished business.
I have seen how the championship has unfolded this year and I am really looking forward to coming back.
The level of competition is definitely very high and you could see that from last season, but I know this is a strong team who are hugely capable and share the same goals.
I am now looking forward to testing the Milwaukee Yamaha as the technical rules have changed since I last raced in BSB, which should suit me better as I prefer riding without traction control! I know I achieved a lot this year and now I am returning focused and confident about 2013.
In 2009 I was second in the championship and I then joined SMR and we would have been fighting for the title if it hadn’t been for injury so I know that together we have the ability to put the Milwaukee Yamaha at the front; I am certainly not coming back to just make up the numbers!” said Ellison.
Joining Ellison in the team will be double Australian Superbike champion Josh Waters.
Josh Waters said: “I am really happy and I still can’t believe I have been given this opportunity.
I visited the Silverstone round this year and the championship was a big surprise to me as it is much bigger than I was expecting.
I won my second Superbike title in Australia this year and I feel like that I have accomplished that goal and now I am ready for a new challenge.
I am a realist and know that I am going to have to work hard at it this season but this is a huge step in the right direction for me, especially to work with a championship-winning team.
I am hoping that the Showdown format will work in my favour as it gives me a chance to learn some of the tracks and I want to be in the top six.
I can’t wait to get started and hopefully we can do enough to be there when it counts.
I want to be successful in the championship and I am dedicated to succeeding with the Milwaukee Yamaha team.
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