Kawasaki is close to revealing who will be riding alongside Chris Vermeulen in the World Superbike Championship next season, but Broc Parkes has revealed it won't be him.

The Japanese manufacturer confirmed the acquisition of the MotoGP race winner and former World Superbike runner-up following the penultimate round of the season at Magny-Cours, but did not say who will be riding alongside him.

That announcement is now due this week [Wednesday], but while a number of riders have been linked with the available seat, current rider Parkes says he has not been re-signed.

The Australian, who has five wins at Supersport level, has enjoyed a solid first season with the Paul Bird Motorsport Kawasaki team, scoring consistently throughout the year. However, a best of two tenth place finishes has not been enough to get him re-signed for 2010.

Although disappointed not to be staying on, Parkes, speaking ahead of the Portimao season finale, extended his gratitude to the team for allowing him back on the World Superbike stage.

"I'm going into this weekend under mixed emotions as it's been a tough year filled with many ups and downs. I can honestly say looking back that I've enjoyed the challenge of the ZX-10R and really appreciated working with the Paul Bird Motorsport and Kawasaki Racing teams.

“The team and I have worked really hard so it would be nice to do well this weekend and end the season on a high. I'm obviously very disappointed that I will not be continuing into 2010 with Kawasaki but that is the way racing goes.

“I wish the team all the best for the future and want to thank them for the opportunity in 2009. Portimao should provide a good race for all and I enjoyed racing there last year so I've got nothing to lose but to do well."

Yamaha refugee Tom Sykes is strongly tipped to be joining Kawasaki for 2010, although Shane Byrne has also been mentioned in connection with the seat.