The new Chinese-backed Maxtra 125cc grand prix project has announced Austrian Michael Ranseder as its first signing, ahead of the team's debut in the 2009 world championship.
The 22-year-old won the German championship in 2004 but didn't compete in a full 125cc grand prix season until 2006, when he failed to score a point for the
Red Bull KTM Junior Team.
A move to the Ajo Motorsport Derbi team for 2007 brought much better success - Ranseder claiming 73 points and twelfth in the standings - but a 2008 switch to I.C. Team Aprilia had yielded just 22 points by the time Ranseder was injured during free practice for the recent Australian GP.
"I am very excited by the prospect," said Ranseder, who will join the Maxtra test programme directly after the season ending Valencian Grand Prix on October 26.
"The Maxtra is an all-new and technically very interesting design, and there are some big names behind it. I feel lucky to be selected for such a high-level project, and very committed to playing my part in it."
Maxtra racing chief Simon Wei, speaking from the massive Haojue factory base in China, added: "We are very happy to confirm our first rider. This is an important step for Maxtra. The testing programme has been very encouraging, and now Michael will bring more speed and good GP experience to our fledgling team.
"We are very serious about this first-ever fully original Chinese racing machine, and expect Michael will be a great help as we move on to the next level."
"Michael is the first of two riders who will campaign the Maxtra in 2009," confirmed Project leader Garry Taylor. "With his grand prix experience, he will be a valuable addition to our test programme, as we take the Maxtra from a clean sheet of paper towards our goal of being fully competitive.
