Source: Supplied.

IodaRacing will field former Superstock 1000 Cup title winner Leandro Mercado in the 2017 Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) aboard an Aprilia RSV4 RF.

Mercado finished second in the year’s STK1000 series and has previous WorldSBK experience to his credit, having previously raced the premier production-based class in 2012 and 2015.

“I am very happy to return to World Superbike,” said Mercado. “For me this will be a new year where I will learn a lot. After three years with Ducati, with whom I also won the title in STK1000 in 2014, I will now have the RSV4RF, one of the most competitive in world.

“I am very grateful to Iodaracing and Giampiero Sacchi for the great opportunities they are giving me and the opportunity to show my potential. I can’t wait to start this adventure and start the year at Phillip Island.”

Increasing their commitment to the championship, IodaRacing also announced its participation in the new WorldSSP300 championship, with Italian youngster Armando Pontone riding a Yamaha YZF-R3.