Brit Leon Haslam will defect from Suzuki to BMW for the 2011 season.

BMW Motorrad Motorsport has confirmed that British rider Leon Haslam will join Australia’s Troy Corser for the 2011 Superbike World Championship, replacing Spaniard Ruben Xaus in the factory line-up.

The team enters its third season with the ever-improving S1000RR, Haslam joining the team after a competitive season with Suzuki this season.

“I’ve watched the progress of the BMW S1000RR in the past two seasons and the almost constant improvement of the machine has been very impressive,” Haslam commented. “I’m very much looking forward to riding the machine and experiencing for myself what I’ve been watching.

“The team has shown the potential to win and the team has the factory support required so I’m hopeful that I can add the extra little bit that is needed to win. I’m really grateful to BMW for showing such faith in me and patience during difficult times and we’re looking forward together now for a successful 2011.”

BMW Motorrad Motorsport director Berthold Hauser looks forward to Haslam joining dual world champion Corser at BMW.

“We’re extremely excited about working with Troy and Leon,” said Hauser. “This rider pairing brings together a wealth of expertise and youthful fighting spirit. We’re very pleased to have not only a double world champion in our team for next year, but also the runner-up in the 2010 world championship.

“It’s just the right combination for our recently formed team at this stage of the project. We’ve been monitoring Leon for a long time now and have been more than impressed by his strengths as a rider. We’re extremely happy to be able to welcome him into our team.

“We have a strong pair of riders in Troy and Leon and are in no doubt that we’ll be able to achieve our ambitious aims with them on board. We would also like to thank Ruben Xaus, who over the last two years has helped to take the team to where it is today. We wish him all the best for the future.”

Despite Haslam leaving, Team Alstare has officially announced that, despite economic difficulties, they and Suzuki have decided to continue their co-operation and their work together.

In order to lower costs for both partners, Team Suzuki Alstare will participate in the 2011 Superbike World Championship with one bike.

At the moment, various considerations are being taken regarding the choice of rider and the final decision will be communicated at Magny-Cours this weekend.

The final round of 2010 will take place this weekend at Magny-Cours in France.