World Superbikes: Max Neukirchner in line for third 2008 factory Suzuki ride

German Max Neukirchner is on target to become the third rider in the Alstare Suzuki team in 2008.

Max Neukirchner has been involved in ongoing discussions with the Suzuki team and recently received the news that the Japanese factory had agreed to supply him with a full factory GSXR1000’s identical their current riders Max Biaggi and Yukio Kagayama.

Max Neukirchner currently rides one of last years Alstare Suzuki GSXR1000K6’s in a separately run team funded by Suzuki Germany.

The 24-year-old is no stranger to the Alstare Suzuki squad having ridden for them in 2006 onboard a non-factory Alstare Engineering bike produced in-house by the Belgium team.

Alstare’s full rider line-up is yet to be confirmed with no news on whether Italian Max Biaggi will stay with the team in 2008.

Yukio Kagayama looks certain to ride again in 2008 having secured his position by winning the prestigious Suzuka Eight-hour race last month for Suzuki.

Neukirchner’s position in the team is expected to be confirmed at the next round of the World Superbike Championship which takes place at the Lausitzring in Germany on September 9, 2007.