The 1190cc V-twin powered machine, which has only just been released, will be raced by young Austrian Rene Maehr, who tested the new bike for three days at the Spanish circuit in March. The 21-year-old has set himself the target of a top 10 finish this season.

"KTM welcomes this new extension to its professional road racing activities," read a KTM press statement. "The company however goes into the 10-event FIM Superstock 1000 World Cup season viewing it as part of its research and development program directly connected to its entry into the Street Superbike segment.

"Apart from racing faring, tyres and exhaust, the Superstock World Cup allows almost no modifications to the series machines. As such it represents a perfect "living laboratory" for the KTM R&D department to study the 1190-RC8 and its performance in the rarefied atmosphere of the racing circuit."

After Valencia the FIM Superstock series - which supports WSBK - visits Assen, Monza, Nurburgring, Misano, Brno, Brands Hatch, Donington, Magny Cours and concludes in November at Portimao in Portugal.