WSS: Former champion Foret rejoins Ten Kate

Ten Kate Honda has firmed its line-up for the 2011 World Supersport Championship by securing the return of its former title-winning rider Fabien Foret.

The veteran racer claimed four wins on the way to winning the 2002 WSS crown for Ten Kate, his success kick-starting an unblemished run of seven consecutive riders' titles for the Dutch operation.

Since leaving the team at the end of that season, he has since scored further wins for Kawasaki, Yamaha and Megabike Honda, bringing his career tally up to twelve.

His return to Ten Kate Honda comes after a troublesome season aboard the privateer Lorenzini Kawasaki, Foret finishing outside the top ten overall for the first time since joining the series full-time in 2001 after his flashes of pace were hampered by poor reliability.

Despite this, Foret was tipped to stay with the team until the opportunity to join Ten Kate emerged, the team keen to sign an experienced hand to join the already confirmed Florian Marino.

"This is a great news for me and I'm really looking forward to this season," said Foret, who at 37-years-old, is 20 years older than countryman Marino.. "It's such a good feeling to come back into the Ten Kate family - we know each other pretty well now and I have the same motivation end determination as in 2002. I hope obviously to enjoy my bike and my team and have some great moments again together.

"I have watched the development of the CBR600RR over the years and it remains the bike to be on because it has won so many championships. My own targets for the year are a personal thing, but when you are in the Ten Kate Honda team you probably have quite a good idea of why you're there!

"I am training every day and getting ready for some testing in Aragon and Portimao at the end of this month and I really can't wait to jump on my bike now."

Despite a brief foray into Superbike racing in 2006, Foret has been a perennial World Supersport front runner since his full debut in 2001 and has now started a total of 116 races in the series.