WSBK » Byrne confirmed with Sterilgarda Ducati

He wouldn't of signed for them if they weren't getting a good bike so whatever they have will give him a chance to show how good he is then as he said, fast track him to a factory ride for 2010.

It's won races this year so there have pretty good kit. I'd be surprised though if Shakey is a challenger.. he hasn't been able to buy a win in BSB for some time... Kiyo was way more dominant and has struggled at most tracks...

He hasn't won for a while but he hasn't had too, the bike is heavier to even it up so why risk crashing when the other bikes are quicker and thats why he's champ, if it was a close run thing he would of put it on the line a lot more and won more.Lastly its not shakey's first time on the world stage so thanks to his moto gp days there wont be that many tracks to get used to.

Well done Shakey! It was starting to look like the first BSB riders to be talked about getting a WSB ride was going to be the only one who didn't in 2009!

Its been a long time since WSB was this shook up in a single year, 2009 should be a corker!

We just need Yamaha to find the 100 gazillion quid Ben Spies wants to ride for them and then the set is complete for a storming season.

Well done Shakey - not the Xerox bike we'd been hoping for... Just hope that Ducati pass down some parts etc

In Today's London Metro free paper there is an interview with Troy Baylis - and he basically says that he wants Shakey to replace him..... Oh well - IF he does ok on the Sterilgarde he May move up in 2010..... or 11.....

Just can't wait for the season to start - so many Brits!!! and I'm saying that before this season has finished!!!!

Sorry this comment is unrelated to "Shakey" per-se, but the upshot may have an affect on whom he might be racing, in WSB. 'Dogs Borrocks's mention of Ben Spies has reminded me of a comment by Randy Mamola during the MotoGP race at Motegi. It could yet be that Colin Edwards ends up as Tom Sykes' team mate on the WSB grid--with Spies graduating to fill his slot at Tech 3. The music has not stopped yet.

Thought Edwards had re-signed for TECH-3??? In my opinion, Shakey would probably still be in Moto GP now, had he entered it on a decent bike, instead of that pile of junk he rode. I believe he would have been a top rider by now

Jeff,

On Sunday they said Colin Edwards' contract is with Yamaha, not Tech-3, so its possible they could move him to WSB...

Hence the speculation....

That's true Jeff, he has. However, if this idea worked I suppose he would be working for the same employer...except in WSB and with a hefty cheque for making the switch! It's conjecture at this stage but Randy Mamola was publicly supportive of the idea on EuroSport, so someone must be talking about it. Perhaps 'Macbeth' would know: he called Leon Haslam not getting the Ten Kate ride long before it was made public. Nice one Mac!

Don't assume that a new bike will automatically be better.
The Yamaha has been going great guns, but basically because it's a 2 year old machine now and fully developed and sorted.
The new Fireblade didn't exactly set the world alight early this season.
The 1098 will be hot off the blocks and if Shakey proves his worth at that level, you can be sure he will get the parts.