Stiggy reveals engineering deal.

Having made the decision to move up to the World Superbike Championship, the Stiggy Honda team has revealed that it has signed a deal to work alongside Oral Engineering in 2009.

Aside from continuing its World Supersport programme, which will be led by current MotoGP rider Anthony West, Johan Stigefelt's team will also move into the premier class with multiple BSB race winner Leon Haslam already announced as one of the riders.

The deal with Modena-based Oral Engineering will allow the team to develop the engine and electronics on its Honda during the season, with Stigefelt admitting he was confident the partnership would be a success.

"I'm really excited about this co-operation.," he said. "Oral is very well known for their professionalism, knowledge and experience. They have all the relevant facilities and machinery to create and develop the engine and electronics we need to be competitive in 2009.

"It will be a challenge for us as well as Oral, but I'm confident we will make this work. I would like to say a big thank you to Mauro Forghieri, Franco Antoniazzi, Luca Chinni and the Oral Group."

Antoniazzi , CEO of Oral Engineering, said the chance to help develop the WSBK engine would be a big challenge for all concerned by agreed with Stigefelt that there was every chance of fighting for top results.

"The opportunity offered by Team Stiggy Motorsport to collaborate in the development of the Honda SBK engine is a big challenge for everybody at Oral Engineering," he said. "We believe that the partnership between Team Stiggy, Oral Engineering and Magneti Marelli will enable the team to fight for the best results."