Loris Cresson completes 24-strong 2022 WorldSBK grid for Pedercini Kawasaki

Team Pedercini Racing has confirmed the 24th and final spot on the 2022 WorldSBK Championship will belong to Loris Cresson after it agreed terms to give the youngster a second season in the series.

The Belgian made his full-time WorldSBK debut with Pedercini Kawasaki in 2021 having previously competed in the WorldSSP Championship as part of what was originally communicated as a two-season deal.

However, Cresson was missing from the official entry list published last month with Pedercini Kawasaki marked as ‘TBA’ with its single ZX-10RR.

Amid rumours it was courting ex-factory Kawasaki rider Tom Sykes for its seat, TPR has now confirmed Cresson - who scored just once last season with a 13th place finish at Assen - will return for 2022.

“2021 was a year of mutual understanding,” said team manager Lucio Pedercini. “2022 will be the year in which we will do our best to achieve the goals we have set ourselves. 

“We are happy to have Loris Cresson in our team again this year and I am delighted to finally be able to confirm this... our adventure continues, and we are looking forward to making a step on track this year. 

“As a team we are also updating our team website and will be interacting with our fans and the fans of WorldSBK in a much more dynamic way. I can also say that we are working hard behind the scenes and are confident that a second machine will be on track at some point during the season.”

Having entered a pair of Kawasaki ZX-10RRs in 2021, Pedercini will be down to just a single bike in 2022, though it says it plans to enter a series of wildcards over the course of the season.

The 2022 WorldSBK Championship will start with 24 riders at the Aragon opener, one more than in 2021. Despite the loss of a Pedercini Kawasaki and the RC Squadra Corse outfit, the grid is bolstered by a second Bonovo MGM and MIE Honda entry, plus the incoming Motoxracing Yamaha team.