Image: Supplied.

Penrite Honda Racing will expand to a two-rider operation for the 2019 Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) after signing Mark Chiodo to join defending champion Troy Herfoss.

Chiodo, 20, impressed as a rookie this season as part of Team Suzuki Ecstar, rounding out the year with a best result of fourth overall at Phillip Island’s Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix support races.

To be joining the title-winning factory team of Honda Motorcycles Australia, operated by the Victorian-based ER Motorsport organisation, is a significant step in the young career of Chiodo.

“I’m really excited to be joining Penrite Honda Racing for my second year in the Superbike class,” explained Chiodo. “It will be a perfect platform for me to work from within a title-winning team and I know that the CBR1000RR SP is a truly competitive package.

“Hopefully this year I can consistently be within the top five and possibly battling for podiums. The ER Motorsport crew is really tight-knit and I’m happy to be working with the likes of Stewart Winton and Shaun Clarke for the season ahead. I’m really thankful for the opportunity provided by Deon and the team.”

Penrite Honda Racing team owner Deon Coote welcomed Chiodo to the squad alongside Herfoss, also appointing renowned technician Stewart Winton to work within the team managed by Shaun Clarke.

“The Penrite Honda Racing team is now in a position to expand to two riders following a successful season with Troy and we’re looking forward to 2019,” Coote commented. “It’s always good to support a young talent like Mark, he will fit in well alongside Troy and I think our team environment will be a positive for his career.”

The first official appearance of Chiodo aboard Penrite Honda Racing’s CBR1000RR SP will come during Motorcycling Australia’s ASBK pre-season test to be held at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on 2-3 February.