Britain's Tommy Hill will finally realise his dream and move up to the World Superbike Championship with Althea Honda in 2009 after he put pen to paper on Tuesday night.
Hill who, by his own admission hasn't had a great season in 2008, will replace the outgoing Robbie Rolfo as the Hannspree-backed team's sole rider in the Superbike class - and by crikey is he looking forward to it.
"It's a dream come true, I am absolutely over the moon," said a clearly-delighted Hill, speaking to bikesportnews.com this morning. "It's a great team and they've been so loyal to me this season, which hasn't been my best, with the injuries and what happened with my best friend Craig [Jones].
"We sat down at Donington Park and the team said I was in their plans for 2009 and then, on Tuesday, they said they wanted me to ride the Superbike. I'm so happy with it and with them. They've worked so hard to develop the bikes this season and now I want to give them some results in 2009.
"We will be trying some new electronics from Magneti Marelli and we will have proper works Ohlins suspension too, so the package is there. I am used to riding Superbikes and I don't think it will take much time to adjust back from a 600."
Hill is still recovering from an injury sustained at the German round where errant wildcard Arne Todt decided to play dominoes with the pack at turn one. Hill re-broke his femur, which was damaged initially in a pre-season crash in Spain last year.
"I am getting there when it comes to fitness," said Hill. "My aerobic fitness is great and my leg is about 85% as strong as the other one. I am seeing Dr Costa at 10am today for some of his special magic and I have been doing everything I can to get it back up to full strength, including drinking litres and litres of goat's milk.
"It's going to be a good season for us. We are getting lots of help from Honda and HRC,we have some good sponsors with Hannspree and Althea so it's looking good. I WILL be there for the first round next season."