Shane Byrne signs Althea Ducati deal

Shane Byrne has signed a deal to join the Althea Ducati squad in next year’s World Superbike championship.

As revealed by MCN nearly 24 hours ago, the popular former double British Superbike champion will ride a top spec Ducati 1198 with Spanish veteran Carlos Checa in 2010.

MCN understands a deal for 32-year-old Shakey will stay in WSB having finished eighth in this year’s series riding for the Sterilgarda Ducati squad.

Shakey, who scored one podium finish in 2009 with second in race one at Misano and ended the season on a high with two fourth places in the final round at Portimao in Portugal, will join the likes of James Toseland, Leon Haslam, Cal Crutchlow, Johnny Rea and Tom Sykes in next year’s WSB series.