Max Biaggi will make his World Superbike Championship debut next year after signing for defending champions Alstare Suzuki.

The 35-year-old Italian, who has been out of work since losing his Repsol Honda ride in Moto GP at the end of last season, is believed to have penned a one-year-deal with an option for two further years.

A delighted Biaggi said: “I have always followed the World Superbike Championship and my view is that it is an extremely exciting championship.

“I have always admired the riders taking part in the World Superbike Championship and I value the class's technical level.

Biaggi, a four-time 250cc world champion and a winner of 13 races in Moto GP's premier class, is a long-time friend of Alstare boss Francis Batta and was set to join the team for this season, but was denied due to a lack of sponsorship money.

Despite some Moto GP stars such as Garry McCoy and Alex Barros struggling to get on front-running pace straight away in World Superbikes, Biaggi wants to win the title straight away – something no Italian has ever done.

He added: “I have known Francis Batta and his family for years and have a lot of respect for him as he has devoted so much time and attention to promoting the profile of the World Superbike Championship.

“I am back in competitive sport and I am happy to be riding for an official team. I am as determined as ever, and really want to win the Superbike World Championship. This is probably the biggest challenge of my sporting career.”

Batta, who has beaten off interest from Moto GP squad d'Antin Ducati to seal Biaggi's signature, said: “Max Biaggi is definitely a valuable addition to my team and to the world of Superbike.

“He will have the best possible staff at his disposal. I have enormous trust in his capabilities and know that his desire is to become the first Italian rider to win the World Superbike Championship.”

Biaggi's signing means that either reigning world champion Troy Corser or Yukio Kagayama – both race winners this year – will have to look elsewhere for a ride next year, unless the team can find the budget to run all three.

(Eurosport)