American rider Jacobsen steps up to WSBK for 2018
PJ Jacobsen will step up to the World Superbike championship in 2018 with the new TripleM Honda squad, it has been announced.
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
New York-born Jacobsen has been a mainstay of the World Supersport class for the past four seasons, finishing runner-up to Kenan Sofuoglu in 2015 following a mid-season switch to Honda machinery.
He joined MV Agusta for the 2017 campaign, finishing the year sixth overall with no wins.
Now the 24-year-old steps up to WSBK for 2018 on board a satellite Honda Fireblade run by Superstock 1000 squad TripleM, which will likewise be making its debut in the top division.
“I’m very excited to be making my World Superbike debut with TripleM Honda WSBK Team," said Jacobsen.
"It’s a great opportunity for me to be finally racing in this class and I want to thank the team and Honda for making this possible.
"Both the team and I will be rookies in the World Superbike championship so there’ll surely be a lot to learn, but it’s a challenge that stimulates me and I can’t wait to get started.
"I enjoyed racing the Fireblade in the EWC two years ago and I love riding 1000cc bikes, so I’m looking forward to trying the new Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2.”
The works Ten Kate Honda team has yet to finalise its line-up for 2018, with new signing Leon Camier its only representative in last week's Jerez test.
Another American rider, Jake Gagne, is in contention to replace Stefan Bradl at the Dutch-run outfit.
2018 WSBK line-up so far:
| Team | Riders |
|---|---|
| Kawasaki |
|
| Ducati |
|
| Crescent Yamaha |
|
| Honda Ten Kate |
|
| MV Agusta |  Jordi Torres |
| Puccetti Kawasaki |  Toprak Razgatlioglu |
| GoEleven Kawasaki | Roman Ramos |
| Orelak Kawasaki |  Leandro Mercado |
| Barni Ducati | Xavi Fores |
| TripleM Honda |  PJ Jacobsen |
| Althea BMW |  Loris Baz |
| Grillini Suzuki |  Roberto Rolfo |
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