THE Dragon Racing superbike team has begun its preparations for the 2022 British Superbikes season, with some exciting announcements already made.

The Colwyn Bay-based team, run by John Jones, has partnered up with a number of long-term sponsors, including EBC Brakes.

With the support in place, the team is preparing to take on its most challenging year yet, including an entry into the Quattro Group British Supersport Championship, and the Ducati TriOptions Cup series, for Denbighshire-based brothers David and Matthew Jones respectively.

This British Supersport series is only behind the main British Superbike Championship at the pinnacle of domestic motorcycle racing in the UK and widely accepted as the most competitive domestic series in the world.

David returns to this series after a 10-year absence, having previously been a race winner in the Supersport Cup category before taking an early retirement from competitive racing in 2012.

His return will also make a small piece of history by being the first time big Ducati V2 Panigale competes in the series.

David said: “It’s fantastic news for me and my family-run team to be back in the British Supersport Championship.

“It’s been over 10 years since I last competed in the series and I feel like I have unfinished business.

“My best year was in 2010 when I scored multiple podiums and a win in the Supersport Cup, together with a number of top 15 results in an exceptionally competitive era.

“Following the COVID-19 pandemic, I decided to dip my toe back into racing in the Ducati TriOptions Cup alongside my brother Matthew.

“Now, I feel the time is right to take on the challenge once again and make a little bit of history by entering on the newly homologated Ducati V2 in an exciting time for the class.

“I’d like to thank all our sponsors who have been with us since the early days and we are also on the lookout for new partners to join us on this journey.”

Younger brother Matthew will be racing again in the Ducati TriOptions Cup after scoring multiple top ten finishes in 2021, competing against the likes of 23-time Isle of Man TT winner John McGuiness and former World Superbike race winner Chris Walker.

2022 will be a similarly competitive field and Matthew is relishing the challenge.

Matthew said: “I’ve always said that ‘every day is a school day’ and I learnt so much in 2021 riding alongside many famous riders.

“In 2022, I’m hoping to build on what I have learnt and aim to be a regular top ten finisher and compete for podiums in the Ducati Shield.”

Team coordinator, Jen Jones, added: “Preparations for 2022 are well underway and the primary budget for the season has been secured, but the team is actively on the search for partners for the upcoming season.

“We are a proud Welsh team, and we want to join forces with local business to use our platform to help promote North Wales firms and to give them a unique opportunity to experience the world of motorsport.

“If you are interested, please get in touch with us on our website or on our Facebook or Instagram page at @DragonRacing92.”