The MIE Racing Althea Honda Team presentation has taken place at the Honda Aoyama Welcome Plaza in Tokyo, where the factory Team HRC was also launched in the presence of top Honda and HRC management.

It was the perfect setting for Team Principal and MIE Racing founder Midori Moriwaki to announce the signing of Spanish rider Jordi Torres, who will join Takumi Takahashi on the 2020 Prague-based squad. 

Takumi Takahashi was on stage to take the wraps off the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP with which he will compete in his first full season of the product-based championship. The Japanese rider will now fly to Australia where he will take part in a two-day test on Monday and Tuesday, before the opening round kicks off on Friday at the Phillip Island circuit.

 

Midori Moriwaki

“The 2020 racing season is going to be a very special one and I’m very proud to see the MIE Racing name on the world stage, supported by Honda and HRC. I am very grateful for this precious backing. Thanks to the strong relationship with Honda and Althea Racing, we started our WorldSBK work last year and now, with the new CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, such a special bike, we renew our commitment, on track with HRC rider Takumi Takahashi.

I’m also delighted to announce here, in the special setting of Honda Welcome Plaza Aoyama, that we have signed Jordi Torres, who completes our 2020 line-up. Jordi will join the MIE racing Althea Honda Team as of the third round (Jerez).

We know we are in for a demanding season, as everything is new and we are up against some very strong rivals, but we also have the experience and knowledge gained during the 2019 season, which will be of real value.”

Takumi Takahashi

“I’m very happy to be racing in the WorldSBK championship this year. To race at world level was always my dream since day one. It’s now become true and I wish to thank HRC, Honda and MIE Racing for this great opportunity. It’s the first time I will work with an international squad, but communication has been good and I immediately realised that we share the same goals. We know it will be hard work and a challenging season, but I’m really motivated to see where we can end up. I’ll do my best to reach the best possible level”. 

Jordi Torres

“I’m thrilled to have the chance to race in the WorldSBK championship with Honda and the MIE Racing Althea Honda Team. I’m prepared to work closely with the team, bringing my own experience but also learning from them. I’m sure that by combining our efforts, we will be able to continuously improve our performance and our results over the season. I am looking forward to riding the new Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP and will do my best for the team, Honda and all our fans”.