World Superbikes: Noriyuki Haga and Troy Corser stay at Yamaha

Noriyuki Haga and Troy Corser have resigned to ride for the Yamaha Italia team for 2008.

Both men came to the end of their one year contract at the end of this season and after positive results were expected to resign.

2008 will be Noriyuki Haga’s fourth consecutive year with the team with this season being his most successful to date.

The Japanese rider currently holds second in the championship standings 41 points behinds series leader James Toseland with two rounds still remaining.

Noriyuki Haga said: “I’m pleased to be riding with Troy again next year; I know him quite well and we get along together, which always makes for a good atmosphere in the pit box.

“I’m looking forward to repaying Yamaha’s faith in me with, hopefully, my first WSB championship title this year and a second one next year! With my position for next year sorted I can now concentrate on chasing the title in the last two rounds.”

Troy Corser will begin his second year with the team and will be hoping for more after mixed results during 2007. Despite showing impressive pace Troy Corser has been plagued by poor luck and some technical problems, which have prevented him taking any wins so far to date.

With the Yamaha R1 Superbike remaining unchanged for 2008, the Australian is aiming to build on his development work of 2007 to boost his results next year.

He said: “We’ve made a lot of progress with the bike, the chassis and the suspension and I’m confident we can make further improvements in winter testing.

“It’s not all been plain sailing but that’s to be expected when you join a new team and get on a new bike. We’ve got a good path forward for next year, though, and that’s the important thing.”