Image: Supplied.

After 16 seasons competing on the WorldSBK and WorldSSP grids with Honda machinery, Ten Kate Racing has announced the team will take part in the 2019 season with a Yamaha YZF-R1, with a starting date to be announced in the coming weeks.

Making the announcement at a TT Circuit Assen press conference, Ten Kate Racing also confirmed Loris Baz will pilot the premier class contender – a WorldSBK race-winner and proven competitor at the highest level.

The Frenchman returned to the series last season after a three-year spell in MotoGP, finishing 2018 11th in the championship standings aboard a BMW. Baz, 26, has already competed on Yamaha machinery in the WorldSBK paddock, winning the former STK600 championship in 2008 and taking part in STK1000 in 2009 and 2010.

“I’m proud to meet this team, a big name in Holland,” said Baz. “I joined the paddock in 2008, so I know the name, I even did two races with them in the past. I’m also really happy to join Yamaha, this is the brand of my heart, the brand I started with, who I won the Superstock 600 championship with. I’m so happy for this.”

The WorldSBK championship resumes this weekend at Aragon in Spain, which sees rookie Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) lead the standings with an undefeated record.