Aussie Mark Aitchison will remain in WSBK for the 2012 season.

Team Grillini will be joining the 2012 Superbike World Championship starting-grid line-up after signing Australian rider Mark Aitchison.

After being involved in Moto2 and CRT projects for the last two years, Team Grillini will launch their campaign at the opening round of the 2012 championship at Phillip Island, 24-26 February.

Twenty eight year-old Aitchison will head the team line up, after gaining considerable experience in the Supersport and Superbike categories.

Last year he raced for Team Pedercini Kawasaki, where he qualified for Superpole six times. Aitchison will line up at the start of the season on a new BMW S1000 RR machine.

“I’m really excited about this new challenge ahead of me in 2012,” Aitchison said. “My first year in SBK was very important, I learnt a lot and I hope it’s the turning-point for more success next season. The Grillini team was interesting for me because it’s made up of a small group of people who have the ambition and desire to work as a team and this was a factor in my decision.

“We know that it’ll take some time to develop the BMW, especially as the championship is about to start shortly, but with the program we have ahead of us I know we can reach the aims we’ve set for ourselves. Now I can devote myself to training and getting ready for the first tests before the opening round at my home track in Australia.”

Atchision and his team will test at the final pre season test at Phillip Island on 20-21 February before the season starts the following weekend.

“I am delighted with the choice of rider,” said Andrea Grillini. “The agreement came after more than a month of negotiations but I always thought that Mark could be an ideal rider for us, and allow us to have high ambitions in the World Superbike Championship.

“We still need to define some of the team members, but Mirko Serraino will be chief engineer. A big thanks to SCB Group who follow the rider and to Paolo Ciabatti of Infront who has enthusiastically welcomed us into this championship.”

For tickets to the opening round, visit www.worldsbk.com.au or ring the SBK toll free Hotline on 1 300 728 007.