The Kawasaki Pedercini team has finally completed its lineup for the 2011 World Superbike season. Australian Mark Aitchison will be joining Roberto Rolfo on the Pedercini team for the 13 round WSBK season which starts on February 27th at Phillip Island.
“To say I am excited now about the season ahead is a major understatement," Aitchison said. "To race in the World Superbike class has always been a dream of mine and to be given this opportunity with a team that has such a long history in World Superbike racing is something I am very proud of."
Aitchison has a handful of podiums since he begun racing in the World Superstock division in 2007. Aitchison has also raced in the World Supersport division, but this will be his first outing with the premier class.
"I would like to thank all the Pedercini family for giving me such a wonderful chance to be a part of their team and I look forward to repaying their faith in me by focusing all my motivation and dedication toward this project," Aitchison said. "In Phillip Island I'll be riding and racing the bike for the first time, so even though it will not be easy, I understand that this is a long season. I'm looking forward to this new challenge, and I'm especially looking forward to getting back to the Phillip Island circuit, which I love to race on.”
Aitchison will get a chance to test out the ZX-10R at Phillip Island, a week before the start of the season.
“I’m very satisfied with the agreement reached with Mark Aitchison and I’m delighted to welcome him on board," said Team owner Danilo Pedercini. "He’s an excellent addition to the team; I appreciated his riding qualities and his determination. Mark is full of enthusiasm and has a passion for racing.
"Together we will take on this new challenge and we firmly believe he will quickly grow. Mark is strongly motivated and he’s on the same wavelength as we are in terms of projects and targets. He’ll test the new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R during the next Phillip Island test and of course the first two races will not be easy for him, but I’m sure that all our technicians will help him to be competitive very soon.”
The Pedercini team will also have a third rider at Phillip Island. Bryan Staring will join the Pedercini team as a wild card at the opening round of the World Superbike season.
