Torres joins Pedercini for WorldSBK return

Jordi Torres will return to the World Superbike championship in 2019 after securing a deal with Team Pedercini Racing.

Having ended his MV Agusta deal in World Superbikes early to switch to MotoGP, standing in for the injured Tito Rabat at Avintia Ducati, Torres will return to the production-based series in 2019 with Pedercini.

Torres, a former race-winner in WorldSBK, was eager to secure a Kawasaki for next season having competed in the series on Aprilia, BMW and MV Agusta machinery while Kawasaki and Jonathan Rea having dominated the championship.

“I'm happy to have found a historical Team of WorldSBK that runs with a winning bike,” Torres said. “Kawasaki is the right bike for the WorldSBK championship and I cannot wait to try it to express everything that this bike can give on the track.

“I believe that I and the team will take away from us a lot of satisfactions. A special thanks to Lucio Pedercini for giving me this opportunity.

“I trust the team and I know that it has the experience to give me the weapons to fight and express my potential. It is a pride for me to be part of Team Pedercini and a I have a great desire to start working.”

Team boss Lucio Pedercini is looking for a fresh start after a disappointing 2018 campaign with a partial season with Yonny Hernandez before he was replaced for the final three rounds.

“I am very satisfied with what is happening around the team, after a troubled year now I am sure I have a strong rider at the height of the vehicle we have,” Pedercini said. “With Jordi we will certainly be competitive and ready to always be in competition to enter the top ten.

“I take this opportunity to invite all the fans to Verona at Motorbike Expo in January where we will present the whole team and the 2019 program and to thank Jordi for having agreed to live with us on 2019.”