James Toseland will switch from Yamaha to BMW Motorrad Italia for 2011.

Team BMW Motorrad Italia Superbike has now stepped up to join the 2011 FIM Superbike World Championship, retaining current Superstock 1000 FIM Cup Champion Ayrton Badovini and signing double World Superbike Champion James Toseland.

The team, the current champions in Superstock with Badovini, will have technical support from the BMW Motorrad Motorsport factory team, which is providing engines and electronics for the BMW S 1000 RR.

“From next season, our BMW Motorrad Motorsport factory team will be joined in the FIM Superbike World Championship by a factory-supported BMW line-up in the shape of the BMW Motorrad Italia SBK team,” Hendrik von Kuenheim, general director BMW Motorrad stated.

“The team has experience in motor racing, and in this championship specifically. Last year in the FIM Superstock 1000 Cup, BMW Motorrad Italia demonstrated their ability to achieve success with the BMW S1000RR, and in impressive fashion.

“Although the challenge in the Superbike World Championship is that much tougher, I’m convinced that BMW Motorrad will benefit from this new addition to the field. After all, competition is the lifeblood of business. We would like to wish the team every success.”

Andrea Buzzoni, the director of BMW Motorrad Italia and the manager of the new Superbike project will lead the team. Serafino Foti will serve as sporting director and Gerardo Acocella will be the technical director.

“After winning the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup, we are continuing with a renewed challenge in the sporting arena,” added Buzzoni. “We planned this ambitious project with enthusiasm and determination and we are happy to find the same enthusiasm in BMW AG’s top management.

“Our Italian squad will receive technical support from Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport. The collaboration between the two teams will allow a profitable exchange of experience, know-how, solutions and ideas for development, all with the common objective of constantly improving performance.

“We are delighted to be able to assure Ayrton, who has given us such satisfaction in our racing competition debut, of a well-deserved promotion. Ayrton will be riding alongside two-time world champion James Toseland, who has shown great motivation and enthusiasm for the project.”

Exciting Italian prospect Lorenzo Zanetti will run for the team in the Superstock 1000 class.