Walker confirmed at Foggy Petronas.

As predicted by Crash.net, Carl Fogarty has today confirmed that fans' favourite Chris Walker has signed to ride for Foggy Petronas Racing in the 2004 World Superbike championship.

The 31-year-old former HM Plant Ducati star will have an immediate chance to put the FP1 through its paces when he joins new team-mate Troy Corser at a two-day test in Valencia, which starts tomorrow (Wednesday).

Walker, universally known as 'The Stalker' for his gutsy and aggressive style of riding, finished sixth in the 2003 championship with six podium finishes and replaces fellow-Brit, James Haydon, at FPR.

"I am really excited about this opportunity," said Chris. "It is going to be a challenge, but it will be an inspiration to be working with people like Carl and Troy - there are world champions everywhere in this team! And it meant a lot to me to know how much Carl wanted me to join.

"Carl and chief engineer Steve Thompson have told me all about the potential of this bike and there is no doubt it has the capability to improve more than any other bike on the grid next year. So who knows where we might be finishing by the end of the season," he added.

Four-times World Superbike champion Foggy believes that his new man will be a key factor in his team's bid to turn the progress made in their debut season into tangible results next year.

"This is a great signing for us and Chris will bring a lot to the team. Everyone knows he is fast and that he always gives 110 per cent, which is all I can ever ask for. I am hoping that he will also help Troy by providing more competition within the team," said Carl.

Walker made his name riding four-cylinder Suzukis 'over the limit' in the British Superbike championship - where he finished runner-up four-times in a row between 1997 and 2000, while battling with the likes of Troy Bayliss and Neil Hodgson.

The Englishman then completed a partial, and accident littered, 500cc GP campaign in 2001, before making a welcome return to SBK racing, in the world championship, with Kawasaki.

Walker then replaced former rival Hodgson in the HM Plant team this season, where his wild style was tamed somewhat by the V-Twin's more sedate power delivery. The former AMCA motocross rider proved he could adapt to the different machine with a string of podiums - but Foggy is eager to see him back on a bike with more cylinders.

"I think Chris' style is more suited to a four-cylinder bike and, having been on our triple, it definitely behaves more like a four than a twin. So I am hoping that the FP1 will really suit him and that both riders will be up there in the top three," he said.

"I have always said that I want a British rider in my team, and Chris is by far the most popular rider in Britain today," Fogarty, who recently had a much publicised spat with Neil Hodgson, concluded.

The Valencia test will be the first test of Pirelli tyres, which all teams will be using for next year's championship.