Kagayama to Alstare, Corona backs World Superbike.

The NEC bike show opened to the press and trade today with official confirmation that Yukio Kagayama will be joining the Alstare Corona Suzuki World Superbike team next season - and that Corona will be expanding their WSBK effort by becoming the championship's title sponsor.

Suzuki factory rider Kagayama, who in recent seasons has become a British racing legend thanks to his daring exploits on a Rizla Suzuki in BSB, will thus ride alongside ex-Foggy Petronas pilot Troy Corser on the team's new GSX-R1000s.

Meanwhile, Alstare's main sponsor Corona has also signed a two-year deal to become the title sponsor of the World Superbike championship from 2005 onwards.