Multiple MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi is lining up a ride alongside Ben Spies at the Qatar World Superbike round in March, say sources inside the Yamaha Italia factory.

There has been much speculation in recent months regarding Rossi's comments about WSB being far more exciting than MotoGP and the fact he wanted to race Troy Bayliss in a one-off event at Misano.

The news that Rossi could partner former three-times AMA Champion Spies on the 2009 long-bang R1 is sure to swell advance ticket sales at the desert track, which usually hosts 13 spectators for both WSB and MotoGP.

How the Italian factory would work a two or three-man team for the event is subject to speculation because ex-BSN man Tom Sykes will be very reluctant to give up his ride to allow Rossi in.