MZ confirms West and Neukirchner

MZ Racing has confirmed it will field a two-rider line-up for the 2011 Moto2 World Championship, with Queenslander Anthony West remaining an incumbent alongside new signing, former world superbike rider Max Neukirchner.

West, who registered three top 10 results in 2010 with a best finish of seventh in Portugal, impressed MZ CEO Martin Wimmer with his persistence, and the former 250cc rider is pleased to have the Australian back on board for 2011.

"In the most difficult of conditions Anthony scored three top 10 results for MZ,” said Wimmer.

“He also proved that in wet conditions he is always a good bet for a podium finish. H's done a lot for us this year and we are happy to continue our great working relationship.”

West finished 23rd in the imaugural Moto2 title.

Meanwhile, Neukirchner first rode the MZ in a test session at Valencia earlier this month, and impressed Wimmer enough to be offered the second seat for 2011.

Riding for the Suzuki factory team, Neukirchner was a revelation in the 2008 world superbike title, finishing fifth overall, but a broken leg sustained early in the 2009 season kept him out of racing for the remainder of the year.

Ten Kate Honda threw him a WSBK lifeline in 2010, but he struggled to find any sort of speed or consistency – his plight magnified by the strong form of his team-mate Jonathan Rea.

As well as announcing its on-track formation for 2011, the German-based manufacturer has also revealed a new structure, with team manager Peter Rubatto taking responsibility for all MZ’s Moto2 racing activities. This will include not just the world championship outfit but also a team in the CEV Buckler (Spanish National Championship) which MZ will use to aid the development of its machine.

West and Neukirchner will shortly test together at Jerez, with the latter riding again in Almeria and Barcelona before the winter test ban comes into effect on December 1.