Parkes will switch from Kawasaki to Echo CRS Honda in 2010.

Australian Broc Parkes will remain in the Superbike World Championship for 2010 after signing with the Echo CRS Honda team, which is stepping up from World Supersport for the new year.

The former factory Kawasaki rider will ride for the Italian team on ex-Stiggy Racing Honda CBR1000RR machinery, looking to improve upon his results for the year after a difficult season on the ZX-10R in 2009.

Parkes, who will be 28 on Christmas Eve, has been in the WSBK paddock 2001, first with the NCR Ducati team in Superbike before eventually making his mark in World Supersport as a rider on the powerhouse Ten Kate Honda and Yamaha Motor Germany teams.

The former multiple-time Australian Dirt Track Champion and 250cc Production Champion’s best World Superbike race finish so far is fifth, but in World Supersport Parkes has scored five race wins and an impressive 23 podiums in total from 67 race starts.

Fellow Australian Russell Holland began the 2009 season on an Echo CRS Honda in World Supersport before being replaced mid-season.