Alstare Suzuki have signed Italian rider Claudio Corti to ride their FIM Superstock Cup GSX-R1000 after Xavier Simeon moved to the Xerox Ducati Junior team for 2009.

Corti, who was at Yamaha this season, won the Superstock 600 title in 2005 but could only manage 10th in the big class for 2008 - almost 100 points behind winner Brendan Roberts.

“So far I have been able to race with top level teams and Alstare is the best opportunity for me to keep on working with a prestigious and highly professional team. I am really happy about that and I am looking forward to next season," said Corti.

"The Superstock 1000 FIM Cup is a very competitive series and there are many good bikes and riders and the first thing I will have to do is get to know the bike. It’s never easy changing from one factory to another and you need some time to learn how to ride a new machine.

"My aim for 2009 is to win the championship. It will be my fourth year in the Superstock 1000 class and I feel I am mature enough to challenge for the title and then eventually advance into World Superbikes.”