McCoy inks Kawasaki deal.

Kawasaki will double its complement of Australian riders next season, having signed Yamaha refugee Garry McCoy to partner World Supersport graduate Andrew Pitt aboard the new four-stroke ZX RR.

According to www.foxsports.news.com.au, Kawasaki had tried to secure the services of final race winner Alex Barros but, when the Brazilian opted to join leave the Pons Honda team for Yamaha, turned its attentions to McCoy. The 30-year-old was expected to complete his deal last night and begin testing as soon as possible.

McCoy's surprise switch from the Red Bull Yamaha team, with whom he won three 500cc GPs in 2000, comes after a difficult season spent fighting the more powerful breed of four-stroke bikes with a venerable 500cc two-stroke. Although he managed to end an injury-hit season with two front-row qualifying positions, McCoy will hope that the Kawasaki, while still experiencing a steep development curve, will allow him to race regularly with the likes of world champion Valentino Rossi from 2003.

"The Kawasaki offer is an opportunity to move on with a factory team on a competitive four-stroke in 2003," the 'Sultan of Slide' is quoted as saying, "I'm looking forward to working with them and doing big things in what is a new chapter in my racing career. The bike has got a lot of potential, but I've only raced two-strokes, so it will take some time to adapt to the four-stroke bike. However, but I'm ready for a new challenge."

Kawasaki team manager Harald Eckl said that he had been looking for 'an experienced rider with a professional attitude' to join the squad in 2003, 'and Garry fits that profile'.

Pitt, meanwhile, finished his second race aboard the Ninja in twelfth place, racking up both his and the bike's first points in MotoGP. The 900cc machine competed in the final four races of the season, initially with veteran Akira Yanagawa and latterly with the 2001 World Supersport champion.