Moto2 exile Corti lands WSBK ride

Just days after being axed by the Italtrans Moto2 team, Claudio Corti has already landed an alternative ride in the World Superbike Championship after being enlisted by Pedercini Kawasaki for the final event of the season at Magny-Cours.

The Italian was in the midst of his third season competing in Moto2 with Italtrans when the team confirmed this week that it had dropped him in favour of former champion Toni Elias.

Nonetheless, Corti has quickly negotiated a chance to impress on the Superbike stage as he prepares to join Pedercini Kawasaki in place of David Salom, the Spaniard stepping down from his role so as to concentrate on his MotoGP duties with Blusens Avintia.

"I'm really happy to be able to take part in this final round of the 2012 world championship and I'm even happier to do so with the Pedercini team, considering the great relationship I have with the Pedercini family," he said. "It will be my first ever World SBK race, but I need to take things one step at a time as it has been years since I rode a 1000cc machine."

Though he has focused on prototype racing in recent years, Corti is no stranger to the Superbike paddock having won the 2005 Superstock 600 championship and been a runner-up in the 2007 Superstock 1000 chamionship.

"Salom's Kawasaki is undoubtedly a great bike and so I hope to be able to adapt quickly both to the bike and to the team. As far as the Magny-Cours circuit is concerned I have some good and less good memories. In 2005 I won the European Stock 600 title here but then in 2007 I lost the Stock 1000 title at the same track. I really like the track and cannot wait to get out there with team Pedercini's Kawasaki."

Corti, who joins Alexander Lundh in the team, scored his one and only Moto2 podium this season in the wet at Le Mans.