The NEC bike show opened to the press and trade today with official confirmation that Yukio Kagayama will be joining the Alstare Corona Suzuki World Superbike team next season - and that Corona will be expanding their WSBK effort by becoming the championship's title sponsor.

Suzuki factory rider Kagayama, who in recent seasons has become a British racing legend thanks to his daring exploits on a Rizla Suzuki in BSB, will thus ride alongside ex-Foggy Petronas pilot Troy Corser on the team's new GSX-R1000s.

Meanwhile, Alstare's main sponsor Corona has also signed a two-year deal to become the title sponsor of the World Superbike championship from 2005 onwards.

More details to follow...