Haslam signs with BMW

Briton Leon Haslam, who will finish second in this year’s world superbike title when it concludes in France this weekend, has been released halfway through his two-year contract with Team Alstare Suzuki and has agreed to terms with BMW to partner Aussie Troy Corser in 2011.

The boss of Alstare, Francis Batta, delivered a broadside at the team’s “principal partner” (code for Suzuki) in the media release announcing Haslam’s departure, putting the Japanese factory under the barrell for the loss of his star pupil.

The release, in part, reads as follows:

And that career will now take Haslam to BMW, replacing the underperforming Ruben Xaus.

"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," said Haslam. "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."

In other world superbike news, Carlos Checa will remain at Althea Ducati in 2011, but the team can’t find a place for veteran Shane Byrne.

Kawasaki is yet to announce its second rider, but incumbent Tom Sykes is firming by the minute, and Ten Kate Honda also has to nominate a team-mate for Jonathan Rea. James Toseland, dropped by Yamaha, could be the man to take that Ten Kate spot, reuniting with the team where he won his second world title in 2007.