Christian Iddon will contest the 2024 Bennetts British Superbike Championship once again for the Oxford Products Ducati squad, after agreeing a further year extension to his contract, with 2023 British Supersport Champion Ben Currie remaining with the team for his second year on the V2 Panigale.
Iddon endured mixed fortunes in 2023 with Steve ‘Wilf’ Moore’s team, achieving a handful of podiums throughout the year and cementing himself as one of the eight title fighters at the final round at Brands Hatch. Although his season began full of optimism, ‘Iddo’ struggled to find his feet with the Ducati V4R, something of which surprised him throughout the year.
Consistency was key to his ninth-place finish in the standings, having scored points in 28 of the 33 races, suffering just five DNF’s. Although it would be fair to say that he and the team expected more from their season.
Rumours did circulate the BSB paddock at Brands Hatch touting the North-East based man for a sensational return to the PBM Ducati squad for 2024, although those are now quashed after putting pen to paper with his current employers.
Christian’s son, Toby, clearly happy Dad is back employed for 2024
“It is mega to be back with Oxford Products Racing Ducati next season” said Iddon. “This season we had high expectations and next year we definitely want more.
“The continuity is a really good thing and we can really build on what we achieved towards the end of the season with much stronger performances and I am fairly certain that as a team we have all the pieces of the puzzle, we just have to put that together.
“We had some setbacks this year, but I know this is the package that will allow me to do the job required and I am looking forward already to next season and another exciting season of BSB. I obviously want to thank Wilf, to Oxford Products and the team for extending their faith in me and I genuinely think together we have a lot more to give and I am really looking forward to putting a real genuine championship challenge together in 2024.”
The team have also retained the services of Australian Ben Currie, who after a stellar season onboard the V2 Panigale in the Quattro Plant British Supersport Championship, grabbed the crown at the penultimate round of season after taking six wins and eight podiums across the 22 races.
Once again, consistency was key for the 28-year-old who failed to finish just two races in 2023, which that teamed with his blistering pace led him to take his, and the teams, first British title.
Rumours also circulated the paddock that Currie could have been in line to replace his team mate on the superbike, but for now he will remain in the supersport class to defend his crown with the number one plate.
“I am absolutely stoked to continue with Oxford Products Racing Ducati after winning the title together this season,” added Currie. “It was a no-brainer for me to come back and defend the title and run the number one plate, as that has always been a dream of mine. Now I can finally do that with a fantastic team and I can’t wait to get started.
“Last season as a team we progressed throughout the year so it will be awesome to hit the ground running from the off. Supersport is going to be highly competitive next year, but I am really up for the challenge and I am looking forward to getting stuck into testing and trying to retain the number one plate.”
Team Owner Steve Moore added: “The continuation of our partnership with Oxford Products is fantastic. They are company who are great supporters of motorcycling and motorcycle racing. I’m very proud that they continue to use our racing platform to promote the Oxford brand internationally and it was fitting to reward them with the British Supersport Championship title in 2023.
“Securing both riders for 2024 is perfect for me - progression with Christian on the Ducati V4R is set to continue, and with the winter period to work on a whole season of information, the team are already looking forward to working with him again in 2024.
“In the Supersport class we had amazing progress too in the debut season for the V2, with Ben taking the championship for Ducati and I feel that we have even more to come from our relationship in 2024.”
Bennetts BSB fans will be able to meet and greet both Christian Iddon and Ben Currie at Motorcycle Live on Sunday November 19, affectionally known as Bennetts BSB Day.
