After MV Agusta RC and Yakhnich Motorsport parted ways last June, Vladimir Leonov found himself without a ride in the Supersport World Championship. Whilst Yakhnich Motorsport is looking for other ways to return to the world stage, Leonov has decided to join forces with team Rivamoto in order to keep racing and maintain his form.

Following an early partnership with Rivamoto team started in June within a series of master classes at Moscow Raceway, Vladimir Leonov got a completely new experience with Rivamoto’s Honda CBR600RR, built for 2014 FIM Supersport World Championship. Back in February, Australia’s Bryan Staring stormed the season starter at Phillip Island on this bike and highly evaluated the level of equipment, prepared by Russian engineers. Leonov felt immediately comfortable aboard the Honda machine and so both parties agreed to contest the 10^th round of the World Supersport Championship, taking place this weekend at Jerez.

In 2013, when FIM World Superbike Championship returned to Andalusia, Vladimir Leonov showed a strong pace during the whole weekend on board Yakhnich Motorsport Yamaha R6, as he qualified 4^th and battled at the front in the race.

"It will be a very important partnership for all of us” confirmed Rivamoto team manager Konstantin Zotov, “we want to show that we are still alive and continuing to work whilst searching for new partners in order to return to the paddock next year. Leonov, as a world class rider, needs to further grow his racing experience. Technically we are fully prepared for this race!"

"I am very glad to come back to the paddock, especially in Jerez, a very interesting and well known track for me,” said Vladimir Leonov. “I would like to warmly thank all my friends for their support."