KARL MUGGERIDGE:

Muggas will return to World Superbike with Alstare Suzuki

After filling in for countryman Josh Brookes at the HM Plant Honda BSB team, Karl Muggeridge will return to World Superbike action – on an Alstare Suzuki no less – in place of Max Neukirchner.

With Neukirchner sidelined, Alstare Brux Suzuki team-manager Francis Batta has decided to give Muggeridge a “no-pressure” ride on the factory backed GSX-R1000 K9 at the German round in Nürburgring on September 6th.

It will be the first time that Muggeridge has ridden leading WSBK machinery since leaving Ten Kate Honda at the end of 2006.

At 35 years of age, Muggeridge is in his fifth season in World Superbike and this year he started out in the Celani Suzuki squad, but suffered vertebrae damage of his own during the Dutch round at Assen.

In its WSB career Muggeridge has scored two fourth place finishes, at Monza and Magny-cours for his Ten Kate Honda team, having moved up from WSS after winning the world title in the 600 cc class in 2004.

Muggeridge has already competed in Alstare colours before, when he rode a GSX-R600 in the Supersport class fro Batta in 2001.

Muggas comments: “ This is an excellent opportunity, I know a lot of people from the Alstare team from my time with them in 2001. It’s nice to know that I have a good crew behind me. I hope I can help them team and give them as much feedback as possible in Nürburgring and get them a good result. I wish Max a speedy recovery and hope he’s finding to his full fitness soon.”