Joining the likes of Bayliss, Fabrizio and Xaus on the new machine will be Biaggi, who has secured a seat at Sterilgarda after parting company with Alstare Suzuki - but can he be a title contender at a non-factory team?

Haga (will he ever win a world title?) and former double world champion Corser will remain together at Yamaha Italia in 2008, while Ten Kate has hired a formidable line-up of MotoGP star Carlos Checa and reigning double BSB champion Ryuichi Kiyonari to replace Toseland and Rolfo. Reigning WSS champion Kenan Sofuoglu will also ride a third Fireblade for the Dutch team's all-rookie line-up.

Four new events are planned for an expanded 15-round 2008 season - at Miller Motorsports Park (USA), Portimao (Portugal), Nurburging (Germany) and Sentul (Indonesia) - although Silverstone and Lausitz will disappear from the calendar.