<B>Biaggi signs for Alstare Suzuki</B>.

Former MotoGP star Max Biaggi has officially signed to ride an Alstare Suzuki in the 2007 Corona Extra Superbike World Championship.

The deal was heavily rumoured at last weekend's Lausitz round and means that the 35-year-old Roman - a four-times 250cc world champion, triple 500cc/MotoGP title runner-up and 42 times grand prix winner - has turned down the offer of a satellite d'Antin Ducati MotoGP seat to ride one of the factory GSX-R1000 K7s in WSBK.

Biaggi, famous for his on and off track battles with Valentino Rossi, came close to claiming a third Alstare machine for the 2006 season - after Honda refused to supply him with MotoGP machinery - but the last-minute negotiations broke down because his 'extra' machine would not have been of the same specification as those of Troy Corser and Yukio Kagayama.

Biaggi ultimately decided to sit out the entire 2006 season, but always insisted he would return and the controversial Italian will now take on the likes of Troy Bayliss, Troy Corser, Noriyuki Haga, James Toseland and Alex Barros.

"Today is a good day," said Max, who has asked to test his new machine as soon as possible. "I have always followed the World Superbike Championship and my view is that it is an extremely exciting championship. I have always admired the riders taking part in the World Superbike Championship and I value the class's technical level.

"I have known Francis Batta and his family for years and have a lot of respect for him as he has devoted so much time and attention to promoting the profile of the World Superbike Championship.

"I am back in competitive sport and I am happy to be riding for an official team - Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra. I am as determined as ever and really want to win the Superbike World Championship. This is probably the biggest challenge of my sporting career," concluded Biaggi.

"Max Biaggi is definitely a valuable addition to my team and to the world of Superbike," added Batta. "He will have the best possible staff at his disposal. I have enormous trust in his capabilities and know that his desire is to become the first Italian rider to win the World Superbike Championship."

As suspected, Biaggi's Alstare deal has been helped by championship organiser's FGSport - who were eager to place 'one of the greatest riders in the history of motorcycle racing' in the Superbike paddock.

"The arrival in the Superbike World Championship of one of the greatest riders in the history of motorcycle racing proves the tremendous fascination the series has for motorcycle fanatics," declared Paolo Alberto Flammini, CEO of FGSport. "Furthermore, Max's participation is the result of a collaboration between Team Alstare and FGSport. We are convinced that he will help boost public interest in the World Superbike Championship. His presence will also improve the competitiveness and spectacle which make the World Superbike Championship one of the most exciting series in the world today."

The identity of Biaggi's team-mate(s) is yet to be announced, but both 2005 champion Corser and triple 2006 race winner Kagayama are keen to stay.