Having already revealed that Brendan Roberts will ride for them in 2009, Guandalini Racing has now confirmed that they will expand to a two-bike effort next season and retain Jakub Smrz.

The Italian-based team ran a single Ducati for Smrz in 2009, the Czech rider proving arguably the quickest privateer, particularly in qualifying when he scored a provisional pole position at Brno and qualified on the front row of the grid at Brands Hatch.

He also finished sixth on three occasions, but Smrz was inconsistent elsewhere, ensuring he would finish behind his most obvious rival, fellow independent rider Gregorio Lavilla, in the overall standings.

Nonetheless, he has been retained for 2009 to partner Superstock Champion Roberts in an expanded Ducati team, forming an impressive privateer line-up for Mirco Guandalini's squad.

"I'm pleased to confirm Jakub Smrz,” he said, “who gave us a lot of satisfaction last year and who proved to be a really quick rider; we are expecting some good results from him this season".

"I am delighted to have signed up Brendan for next year,” Guandalini added. “He is a strong and promising young rider. I am sure that in our team he will have every possibility to do well."

Their confirmation brings the total number of riders on next year's World Superbike grid to 27.