WorldSBK sporting director Gregorio Lavilla is keen to get Ten Kate Racing back on to the grid as quick as possible but not just to make up the numbers.

Even with a definite upward adjustment in quality through the field, quantity is not quite there at 18 permanent riders. Some say that is not a good total to start a season with, but Lavilla thinks it is also not far off the ideal number.

“Maybe we are very near 19, and our target is 20,” Lavilla told bikesportnews.com at the Jerez test.

“We need to give enough conditions to everyone involved to reach our goal of parity and possibility, we need to concentrate our efforts from a company point of view on this number. So we are now two less than our target and maybe there will be one more through the season.”

That one more is hopefully going to be Ten Kate Racing, who apparently intend to come back as early as this year.

“My communication with them is that they intend to be back, if possible this season,” said Lavilla. “To stay with us and stay for the future. More details you need to ask them. From the organisers point of view we are waiting for their plans and they are more than welcome because it is a historic team. We can help them to come back as quickly as possible.”