MotoGP and WSBK - no merger.

Recent speculation that the MotoGP and World Superbike Championships are thinking of merging in the future have been firmly denied by the organisers of the World Superbike Championship during the British round of their Championship, at Donington Park last weekend.

They announced they had no intention of merging with MotoGP and that both series had their own place in World Championship Motorsport.

"The Superbike World Championship is one of the most interesting sports products that motorsport has ever produced and, therefore, excludes the possibility of a merger with MotoGP," revealed SBK in a press statement.

"We are the first to appreciate the importance of MotoGP having contributed to its growth by organising Grand Prix for over 20 years," the statement continued. "However, the exceptional development of the World Superbike Championship gives scope in the quest for supreme/absolute leadership in this fascinating world of Motorsport, and, therefore, excludes the necessity to amalgamate or be connected with MotoGP, which also has a completely different profile to WSBK, destined from its birth as the top series for production bikes, and consequently in promoting the sales of these fantastic gems worldwide."

The speculation has arisen because of the manufacturers' interest in MotoGP, with the new rules that will allow four-stroke machinery back into the 500cc class next season.

Already Ducati have announced they will take on the major Japanese manufacturers next season, while Formula One teams such as Sauber are building engines to compete in next year's World 500cc Championship.