As expected, Leon Haslam will join the Ten Kate Honda World Superbike squad for the 2013 season and partners Jonathan Rea who has chosen to remain in WSBK as part of a grand Honda plan to win the title next year.

The pair will benefit from a raft of technical changes planned for the 2013 Honda Fireblade including new electronic software being brought in by HRC and the possibility that, in 2014, they will get a new V-four bike to race. The team has also announced a new title sponsor in the shape of crisp manufacturer Pata.

"I'm happy to continue my partnership with Honda in this exciting championship. I've been loyal to Honda my whole career and that's because I believe in them as a company and I believe that we can achieve more together in the future," said Rea.

"It’s no secret that we’ve been lacking in certain areas but I know there is a team of determined and dedicated guys working away both at the races and at the workshop to improve the bike and to try and be a consistent front runner for next season.

"They’ve got some very exciting plans for 2013 and beyond, and I’m sure that with a strong team-mate like Leon, we can all work together to make next season memorable for all the right reasons."

Lorenzo Zanetti, currently in the Pata Ducati team, comes over to ride in World Supersport and is joined by current European Superstock 600 rider Michael van der Mark who will make a step up in class.