Michael Laverty has made a shock switch from the Swan Yamaha team and will line up alongside Jon Kirkham in Honda's 2012 British Superbike squad but it is unclear whether HM Plant are still the title sponsors.

Laverty had been cagey all week about his plans and an interview with Swan boss Shaun Muir yesterday fanned the flames that he had lost the Irishman to the Honda UK-backed team.

"It really was a tough decision for me because both the teams are so equal and I don't think anyone will start next season on anything like the same bike they finished this one so it really will be all to play for from the first round with no favourites," said Laverty, speaking to bikesportnews.com from Spain.

"I wanted to be a team leader and I knew that, as with last year, staying with Swan would have meant it was 50/50 between Tommy and I. It is an exciting prospect for me to be joining Honda for 2012. It was unexpected and it is always a difficult decision to move teams, especially as we had such a good season this year. I was fortunate to have options and I have gone from one championship winning team to another; everyone knows that Honda have the history in BSB and we are really looking forward now to next season.

"I think the change with the rules has played a part in my decision to join Honda. You can see from Evo this season that the Honda chassis and engine was so strong and delivers useable power which will be so important next year. Next season for sure is going to be interesting and I think we start in a great position. The calibre of Honda and the Fireblade is high and we know we have big potential to fight for the title.”