Hero EBR signs Pegram and Canepa for 2015 SBK

Larry Pegram will act as Team Manager in charge of the Pegram Racing Crew, which will take over running the Team Hero EBR program. Both riders will be piloting EBR 1190RX bikes.

Pegram brought EBR its only points in the 2014 season, scoring two points at the crash-filled Laguna Seca round.  Pegram brings a wealth of podium performances and wins on many brands, as well as being the man behind the popular Superbike Family reality television show.

“This coming season is something very special for me and I can’t wait to get started. Moving to the EBR motorcycles for me was a big deal, as I have wanted forever to see an American brand in performance motorcycles,” team rider/manager Pegram said.

His teammate and second rider Niccolo Canepa has an exciting combination of years of experience successfully racing in World Superstock class (2007 Champion), World Superbike (2nd in Evo class in 2014) and MotoGP circuits, and a background of development testing including at the MotoGP level.

"I'm delighted to join with Team Hero EBR for 2015 in the World Superbike championship. This is the perfect opportunity for me to combine my development and my racing skills. Being on track with the EBRs in 2014, it was very exciting for me to see an American motorcycle in our championship, and by the end of 2014 the 1190RX was getting quite fast. They came a long way from mid-season and really got my attention! I am looking forward to being part of the next step up in performance," he said.

The new EBR 1190RX took first place in all four races of its debut in the Pirelli Road Race Series in Australia earlier this year. With a year of development under its belt, it will be interesting to see how the Hero EBR team fares on the race track.

Hero MotoCorp owns 49.2 per cent stake in EBR, after its first-ever equity purchase in an overseas company. Under the agreement, reached in 2013, Eric Buell Racing will help develop motorcycles to be launched in India. Even the latest Hero Xtreme has been reportedly tuned by EBR engineers.