SHANE BYRNE will be contesting the 2009 WSB championship for Sterilgarda Ducati as part of a two-man team.
Visordown broke the story first yesterday after a tip off from within the team. The official announcement has now been made by team boss Marco Borciani.
Shakey, who wrapped up the BSB title at Silverstone in the first race on Sunday said: "I'm absolutely delighted to be joining the Sterilgarda Go Eleven team to participate in the 2009 WSB championship. It's the perfect progression for me having secured the 2008 BSB championship last weekend at Silverstone on very similar Ducati machinery. Any team that can run riders of Max Biaggi and Ruben Xaus's standard can only be at the top of their game, I look forward to benefiting from the team and Ducati's experience to make the transition as straightforward as possible for me and can't wait for my first opportunity to start working with my new team."
Borciani added: "For the 2009 season we will have a new two rider line-up. I would like to thank Ruben Xaus who helped the team to grow up in the last three years and Max Biaggi who brought further prestige to our team. I wish the best to both the riders for their new adventures respectively in BMW and Aprilia. In order to replace two great riders like Ruben and Max I searched for a sure talented rider who is able to assure a high-level performance. After many meetings with several riders, our choice came down to Shane, who has impressed me for his results and - above all - for his human skills. He will have the opportunity to test the new bike in Portimao, after the end of the last round".
