WSBK News

Tommy Bridewell has signed a deal with the Lorenzini by Leoni Yamaha Italia Team which will see him contest both the FIM 1000cc Superstock Championship and the Italian Superstock Championship.

Suzuki will condense down to two bikes for the 2009 World Superbike Championship, Crash.net can reveal, a decision that leaves Fonsi Nieto on the sidelines.

The countdown to the 2009 World Superbike Championship got underway at Kyalami this week as six of the seven manufacturer teams that will compete next year descended on South Africa for the final test of 2008.

Tommy Hill has taken his first tentative steps to becoming a World Superbike rider in 2009 by travelling to Cartagena in Spain as part in a two-day test with the Althea Honda team.

New Superstock 1000 Champion Brendan Roberts will graduate to the World Superbike Championship in 2009 with Guandalini Ducati, Crash.net can reveal.

MotoGP refugee Shinya Nakano has made his debut appearance for Aprilia ahead of his switch to the World Superbike Championship in 2009, as the team also took the opportunity to unveil its race-liveried RSV-4 for the first time.

GSE Racing team manager Colin Wright has tipped British Superbike Champion Shane Byrne to be a challenger for the World Superbike title in 2009.

Despite the loss of factory backing, PSG-1 Corse will persevere with Kawasaki machinery for the 2009 World Superbike Championship, while promising youngster Ayrton Badovini will lead their challenge.

World Supersport standout Josh Hayes has decided to return to the United States in 2009 after concluding a deal to race for Yamaha in the AMA Superbike Championship.

Karl Muggeridge will remain in the World Superbike Championship next year after it was confirmed he will race a Suzuki prepared by Superstock graduates Team Celani.

Paul Bird Motorsport have concluded their agreement to become the official World Superbike racing partner of the Kawasaki team from 2009.

Paul Bird Motorsport will become Kawasaki's official World Superbike team next season.

Triple AMA Superbike champion Ben Spies is being tipped to fight at the front of the 2009 World Superbike field right from round one after an impressive debut with his new Yamaha Motor Italia team at the Portimao test.

Gregorio Lavilla will remain in the World Superbike Championship next season after confirming he will compete for the re-launched Pro Ride Honda team in 2009.

The countdown to the 2009 World Superbike Championship begins here with the post-season tests getting underway in Portugal - and Crash.net have all the latest pictures.

Kawasaki have confirmed an official end to their partnership with factory-backed World Superbike team PSG-1 Corse after four years of co-operation. The San Marino based outfit has been receiving Kawasaki's support since the 2005 season when they switched from running Ducatis.

Michael Schumacher is continuing to build on his two-wheel experience after staying back from the final round of the World Superbike Championship to test Troy Bayliss's title winning Ducati and Troy Corser's Yamaha.

Troy Bayliss has hailed the bike that took him to the 52nd and final World Superbike win as 'the best' he has ridden throughout what has been an outstanding career.

Cal Crutchlow has set himself the target of proving his Donington Park World Superbike podium was no 'fluke' after qualifying a superb second place on the grid for the two races in Portugal.

FIM World Superbike Championship promoters, FG Sport, are to undergo a re-brand in 2009 in an attempt to capitalise on an exciting new era for the growing series.

The RG Racing Team will not be present at the final round of the World Superbike Championship in Portugal after announcing that they have concluded their season early.

Kawasaki has announced they will put their factory resources into an all-new World Supersport team in 2009 after ending their collaboration with Gil Motorsport.

Team-mates Noriyuki Haga and Troy Corser will battle for second in the 2008 world championship during their final WSBK appearance for Yamaha in this weekend's season finale at the brand new Portimao circuit.

Jonathan Rea will swap places with Kenan Sofuoglu to make his World Superbike debut at this weekend's 2008 season finale at Portimao in Portugal.