WSS: Lorenzini Kawasaki signs Italian veterans

Lorenzini by Leoni will welcome back two of its former riders for the 2011 World Supersport season after signing up Vittorio Iannuzzo and Massimo Roccoli.

Expanding to a two rider entry this year having persevered with just a single bike for Fabien Foret in 2010, Lorenzini has placed its faith into motorcycling veterans for its second season with the Kawasaki.

Roccoli comes to the team after two years aboard the Intermoto Honda, the Italian finishing eighth overall in 2010 with a best finish of fourth. The former race winner - who now has 68 WSS starts to his name - competed with the Lorenzini team back in 2005 during a Superbike wild-card outing at Silverstone.

Iannuzzo, meanwhile, began his international motorcycling career riding for Lorenzini back in 1999 and 2000. Since then, the Italian has focused on Superstock and Superbike competition, though he did end the 2010 season in Supersports riding with the factory Triumph team.

After a long period as a customer Yamaha team, Lorenzini made the switch to Kawasaki in 2010, showing promising pace with former champion Foret on the ZX-6R. However, the bike lacked reliability, leaving Foret - who will ride for Ten Kate Honda in 2011 - and the team down in 13th position overall at the end of the season.