John Laverty joins Tristan Palmer at Buildbase Kawasaki

2008 British Superbike Cup Champion John Laverty will join Tristan Palmer at Stuart Hicken’s Kawasaki team, which will now run under the name Buildbase Kawasaki.

Laverty brings with him the title sponsor that he ran in 2008 with the title-winning Ducati team.

Laverty will make the switch from Ducati to the newly-named Buildbase Kawasaki squad, joining Tristan Palmer.

The switch also puts to bed rumours of Laverty taking a factory Ducati ride in a North West 200 Ducati team that looks in doubt for 2009.

Team Principal Stuart Hicken said: “I am over the moon to secure a title sponsor such as Buildbase and to have two riders of the calibre of John and Tristan is fantastic.

“The whole team are a hundred percent motivated and I am very confident both riders will have a great season.

“Our test program starts in February with a one week test planned at Cartagena and we can’t wait to get going.”

Stephen Thompstone, representing Buildbase added: “It’s great to have Tristan and John riding for Buildbase Kawasaki. Both riders have a great history with Buildbase and we are looking forward to an enjoyable and successful season in 2009.”

And without the NW200 teams involvement, it looks like there’ll be no major Ducati team in the series for 2009 .