No money, no Suzuki sportbike for Kas Beekmans: VLR signs Schunselaar

Happiness and heartbreak are often very close together, as was the case for Kas Beekmans and Indi Schunselaar just a few days before the 2027 Sportbike World Championship round in Cremona. As Beekmans is unable to pay the entry fee agreed for the last two events to his Suzuki team, VLR Racing, team manager Kevin van Leuven looked for a financially capable replacement – and found Schunselaar.

It was not an easy decision for van Leuven to announce the split from the 22-year-old, with whom he had won the British Sportbike Series a year ago and subsequently ventured into the paddock of the production-based World Championship. Fifth place in the second race at Assen remained Beekmans’ best result of the season. VLR does not rule out a future collaboration. “It’s a great pity that we can’t finish the season together,” said the team manager regretfully. “In the long term, however, this is the right decision, and we hope that Kas finds the right partners to continue competing until 2027. In my view, he has shown that he can definitely compete at world level. In the short term, we as a team will do everything we can to support Indi in the last two races of the season and offer him this unique opportunity to gain further experience in the World Superbike Championship.”

For Beekmans, meanwhile, his world is falling apart. “After everything we’ve been through and achieved, it’s tough that money is the reason why it’s over for now,” sighed the Dutchman. “After winning the BSB Championship in my rookie season, I went straight into a World Championship and experienced everything that came with it. In my very first World Championship race, I was on the front row of the grid and in the lead through the first few corners, and at my home race I was so close to the podium. Those are moments I’ll never forget.”

Beekmans continued: “It’s hard to accept. Because we fought hard, learnt a lot and showed that we deserved to be there. Racing is cruel in that respect: you can work harder than ever before, give it your all, have the results and the potential. But if the funding isn’t there, none of that matters because you can’t even make it to the start line. I’m absolutely devastated. I’m frustrated, I’m angry.”

For Schunselaar, who is only 16, the emotional situation is naturally the opposite. Following his guest appearance with Yamaha at Assen (finishing 20th and 22nd), he will now make two further appearances in the World Championship with Suzuki. “I’m very proud to be racing for VLR Racing. This is a fantastic opportunity to develop as a rider and gain new experience. A huge thank you to the team for this chance – I’ll give it my all! A massive thank you to my parents and sponsors – none of this would have been possible without them.”

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