WSS: Hoegee sign local rider for Phillip Island

Hoegee Suzuki will be back to full strength for the first World Supersport round of the season in Australia after signing local rider Shaun Geronimi.

The Dutch outfit, which heads into the 2009 season as the only accredited Suzuki team on the WSS grid, had appeared at the pre-season Portimao test with just their lead rider Barry Veneman.

However, they will expand to enter a pair of bikes for the opening round at Phillip Island after securing the services of Australian Supersport frontrunner Geronimi. With experience of the circuit, Geronimi is confident of making an impression on the Supersport masses.

"I'm really excited to be racing in the World Championships with the Hoegee Suzuki Team and am looking forward to Phillip Island for the first round.

"Riding with Barry, with his vast experience, will be a huge benefit to me. I have the ability and determination to succeed at this level and believe together we will achieve great results."

Hoegee ran Veneman and Didier Van Keymeulen in 2008, although the latter will race in the German IDM series in 2009 for the new KTM Superbike team.