Image: Rusty Colvin.

Australian Prostock and Australasian Superbike Champion Matt Walters will become the second confirmed Australian on the FIM Superbike World Championship grid this weekend after securing a late deal to ride for Pedercini Kawasaki.

Walters will ride the privateer Italian team’s EVO specification ZX-10R, usually piloted by Italian Luca Scassa, who sustained a fractured pelvis in testing on Tuesday.

“It all happened really quickly, and I’ll be on a massive learning curve over the weekend,” said Walters. “But I have ridden a ZX-10R locally for the last three years, so I know it inside-out.

“The basics of my bike and Scassa’s are pretty similar, so that gives me some confidence.”

Earlier in the week it was confirmed that two-time Australian Superbike Champion Glenn Allerton would be filling in for Frenchman Sylvain Barrier on the BMW Motorrad Italia S 1000 RR.

Walters’ addition increases the local participation to five riders, joining Allerton in Superbike, while Bryan Staring, Billy McConnell and Ryan Taylor represent Australia in World Supersport.

The opening World Superbike practice of the weekend is just around the corner, scheduled to commence at 11:45am local time.