R1NORI
Wed Oct 27th, 2010, 01:45 PM
Toseland is all set for a move to BMW machinery, while Xaus is nearing a deal to ride for Supersonic Ducati.
Following a flurry of contract activity in recent weeks, just three riders that were classified inside the top fifteen of the 2010 World Superbike Championship standings remain without a ride for next season.
Currently, eleven of the fifteen riders will return to the World Superbike ranks next season – though only six will remain with the same team -, while Cal Crutchlow will be the sole rider making a switch to MotoGP (http://www.crash.net/motogp) with Tech 3 Yamaha.
As such, it leaves James Toseland, Shane Byrne and Ruben Xaus (http://www.crash.net/world+superbikes/racer_bio/112/ruben_xaus.html) as the 'top' riders still yet to confirm their plans for 2011.
Despite this, all three have firm links for next season with Toseland rumoured to be close to announcing a move to a satellite BMW outfit run under the BMW Italia banner than took Ayrton Badovini to a dominant Superstock 1000 title win (http://www.crash.net/world+superbikes/news/164521/1/toseland_xaus_nearing_new_wsbk_deals.html#) in 2010. Badovini would almost certainly be his team-mate in the team.
Xaus, meanwhile, looks set to make a return to Ducati machinery in 2010 with the privateer Supersonic team. The Spaniard endured a tough second season with BMW, finishing no higher than fifth, and was duly replaced by Leon Haslam, but with Luca Scassa already confirmed as Supersport-bound, Supersonic are chasing an experienced hand for 2011.
According to GPOne.com, negotiations are at an advanced stage with the new-for-2010 team, with Xaus no doubt hoping to replicate some of the form that has previously made him a winner (http://www.crash.net/world+superbikes/news/164521/1/toseland_xaus_nearing_new_wsbk_deals.html#) on a twin.
While Toseland and Xaus are tipped to stay in World Superbikes, Byrne has been seen in the British Superbike paddock as he looks to possibly secure a return to the championship he has won on two occasions, most recently as 2008.
Other 2010 WSBK (http://www.crash.net/world_superbikes) competitors still looking for a ride include Lorenzo Lanzi, who has seen his seat go to Noriyuki Haga (http://www.crash.net/world+superbikes/racer_bio/115/noriyuki_haga.html) following DFX's defection to Aprilia, and Max Neukirchner, who is another rider that has been linked with Supersonic Ducati.
Following a flurry of contract activity in recent weeks, just three riders that were classified inside the top fifteen of the 2010 World Superbike Championship standings remain without a ride for next season.
Currently, eleven of the fifteen riders will return to the World Superbike ranks next season – though only six will remain with the same team -, while Cal Crutchlow will be the sole rider making a switch to MotoGP (http://www.crash.net/motogp) with Tech 3 Yamaha.
As such, it leaves James Toseland, Shane Byrne and Ruben Xaus (http://www.crash.net/world+superbikes/racer_bio/112/ruben_xaus.html) as the 'top' riders still yet to confirm their plans for 2011.
Despite this, all three have firm links for next season with Toseland rumoured to be close to announcing a move to a satellite BMW outfit run under the BMW Italia banner than took Ayrton Badovini to a dominant Superstock 1000 title win (http://www.crash.net/world+superbikes/news/164521/1/toseland_xaus_nearing_new_wsbk_deals.html#) in 2010. Badovini would almost certainly be his team-mate in the team.
Xaus, meanwhile, looks set to make a return to Ducati machinery in 2010 with the privateer Supersonic team. The Spaniard endured a tough second season with BMW, finishing no higher than fifth, and was duly replaced by Leon Haslam, but with Luca Scassa already confirmed as Supersport-bound, Supersonic are chasing an experienced hand for 2011.
According to GPOne.com, negotiations are at an advanced stage with the new-for-2010 team, with Xaus no doubt hoping to replicate some of the form that has previously made him a winner (http://www.crash.net/world+superbikes/news/164521/1/toseland_xaus_nearing_new_wsbk_deals.html#) on a twin.
While Toseland and Xaus are tipped to stay in World Superbikes, Byrne has been seen in the British Superbike paddock as he looks to possibly secure a return to the championship he has won on two occasions, most recently as 2008.
Other 2010 WSBK (http://www.crash.net/world_superbikes) competitors still looking for a ride include Lorenzo Lanzi, who has seen his seat go to Noriyuki Haga (http://www.crash.net/world+superbikes/racer_bio/115/noriyuki_haga.html) following DFX's defection to Aprilia, and Max Neukirchner, who is another rider that has been linked with Supersonic Ducati.