125: Matt Hoyle completes Maxtra line-up.

Matt Hoyle may have been listed as Maxtra's second rider in last December's provisional 2009 125cc entry list, but his signing has only now been made official.

The 17-year-old Briton, who will ride alongside Austrian Michael Ranseder during Maxtra's debut season, began road racing at the age of eleven - as soon as the rules allowed - winning an 80cc championship in his second year and then moving up to 125s at the age of 13.

Hoyle has raced in the British 125cc Championship for the past three seasons, improving from 26th in 2006, to 11th in 2007 and then champion in 2008.

In 2007 Hoyle also competed in the Red Bull Rookies series, finishing third overall, and in 2008 he again rode the whole series, taking six podiums and one win to secure seventh overall.

"I'm obviously delighted to be making the move up to GP racing," said Hoyle. "I'll be working with some real legends, so I've got a lot to live up to, but I'm really looking forward to it."

"Matt took part in our UK development programme during 2008 on the suggestion of our development rider Michael Wilcox," explained Maxtra team director Garry Taylor. "We also watched him at a number of the Red Bull Rookie rounds, including Indianapolis, where Kevin Schwantz and I saw his potential.

"The Maxtra Racing management team of Simon Wei, John Surtees, Steve Harris and I were all impressed by Matt's input, maturity, attitude and enthusiasm.

"Matt will make a great team-mate for Michael Ranseder and will quickly contribute to the machine's progress. We are very excited to have him on strength."

Hoyle and Ranseder will ride together for the first time at the Maxtra team's 2009 debut at pre-season testing in the south of Spain in mid-February.