Ben Bostrom back to AMA, Eric joins Yamaha.

2005 Renegade Honda World Superbike rider Ben Bostrom will return to the AMA Superbike championship again next season after signing to replace younger brother Eric, alongside Neil Hodgson, in the Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin team - where he will ride a factory 999.

31-year-old Bostrom, previously a race-winning factory Ducati rider in WSBK, will step back onto the 'official' machine after a three-year gap in which he rode firstly for American Honda in AMA Superbike and then the privateer Renegade team in World Superbike.

"You know, this year was a tough one on the racetrack," admitted Ben, who finished 15th in the final 2005 WSBK standings with a best finish of sixth on an under-developed Fireblade. "So I'm real excited to be back with a factory that I've had so much success with in the past. We've shared lots of good memories, Ducati and I, and I'm looking forward to a strong season together, and to creating new memories with them."

Former WSBK wild-card Eric won four races with the Ducati Austin 999 in the last two seasons, but has signed to ride for Yamaha next year - where he will compete in both the Formula Extreme and Superstock classes, but apparently not the Superbike series.

"I just saw the new bikes and they are awesome," said Eric. "I feel great and Yamaha has already made me feel so much a part of their family. I just can't wait to start riding."

Hodgson, Eric's team-mate this season, will remain in the premier AMA class for 2006, where the Briton aims to make use of his learning year to aim for the title and thus fulfil his ambition of becoming the only rider to win the 'triple crown' of British, American and World Superbike titles.

The former World Superbike champion finished sixth in his debut AMA Superbike season, winning one race at Road America and stepping onto the podium a further five times in the 10 round/17 race series.

"I'm really looking forward to the challenge in 2006," commented Neil. "I know the 999 will be improved and now I understand how to approach AMA. It's going to be tough to beat Mladin but I've studied everything hard this year and I've got a plan for how to beat him! I really enjoyed working with Eric and it will be equally great to work with his brother Ben... It's just a pity he's not better-looking!"

"Neil had a great first season with us, winning one race and always fighting hard throughout the season and I'm convinced he can challenge for the title in 2006," stated Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin owner Terry Gregoricka. "Ben has had great success with Ducati in the past and I feel sure he will remember that and get on the gas!

"His crew chief Gary Medley has worked with him before and that's also sure to be an advantage. I believe Neil and Ben will work well together as a team and knowing each other will certainly help. 2006 is going to be even tougher than this year but I am convinced that our two riders will go well and that they can both win races throughout the season."

"We are officially involved in the AMA Superbike Championship for a second year with the Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin team and once again we will have two world-class riders," added Ducati Corse Superbike director Paolo Ciabatti.

"The American market is very important to Ducati: our participation in the AMA championship with a factory effort shows our strong commitment to the series and is a key element of the company's marketing strategies in this area of the world," Ciabatti concluded.