Reigning Italian Superbike Champion Matteo Baiocco has signed a one-year deal to join the Moto Rapido Ducati team to contest this year’s MCE British Superbike Championship.

The 28-year-old, from Osimo, rode with the Winchester-based squad at Silverstone last year as an injury

replacement and returns for a full season with the blessing of Ducati, where he is the official 1199 Panigale test rider.

“I am very happy to finally formalise my agreement with the team Moto Rapido. We have been working for this together for a long time and I really want to thank Steve Moore for the opportunity. During 2012 I had

already got to know the team Moto Rapido and BSB, I like the team very much and I was excited to race BSB,” said Baoix, as he is known in his native country.

“This will be a very important season for me after winning in Italy I look forward to the challenge of the

riders in BSB and do my best to be competitive in the best national series of the world. I’m preparing for the best to be ready at the first race. I want to say thank you to Ducati Corse and Ducati UK who will help us in this season.

“We will do our best to be competitive and fight with our 1199 Panigale R. A big hello to all the British fans that are unique and have great passion and loyalty for racing.”