Chili signs for Klaffi Honda.

After nine years in the World Superbike Championship, Frankie Chili will ride a Honda for the first time in his WSBK career next year after signing for Supersport graduates Klaffi Honda.

The Klaffi team, owned by former Sidecar Champion Klaus Klaffenbock, has spent several years in the supporting Supersport Championship but has decided to move up for 2005 with the potent Honda Fireblade and works support from the manufacturer themselves.

Italian born fan favourite Chili rode a Ducati 998 'hybrid' for PSG-1 last year, winning one race and finishing fifth overall. PSG-1 has switched to Kawasakis for 2005, but Chili wanted a Honda and so left, taking most of his crew with him.

"There were a lot of ups and downs during my career," said Chili on his latest move. "Sometimes even nobody trusted in me, but especially in these situations I had success. Joining the Klaffi Honda Team means a super possibility for me to reach out for the Superbike Championship again. Honda and Klaus Klaffenb?ck did all their best to make this possible.

"Beside this I want to say 'Thank you' to my Italian crew," he continued. "Even when we need a lot of time to discuss all the details they were waiting for my decision. Nobody left the crew. Now we join together the Klaffi Honda Team and are looking forward to an exciting and successful World Championship 2005."

Team owner Klaus Klaffenb?ck was understandably pleased with his new rider. "I always promised our sponsors a rider who is a winner," said Klaffenbock. "And also this time my promise comes true. During the last weeks we had a lot of discussions. Frankie Chili or Ben Bostrom, this was the question. Now the decision is taken: Frankie Chili rides a Klaffi Honda Fireblade in 2005."

Bostrom is now expected to be confirmed as a Renegade Honda rider in the near future.

Chili will be partnered by German born Superbike rookie Max Neukirchner in 2005 and will take his first laps aboard a Klaffi prepped Honda later this month.