Image: Foremost Media.

DesmoSport Ducati has confirmed that Broc Pearson will complete the 2022 Mi-Bike Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) with the squad alongside Bryan Staring on a V4 R.

Pearson was offered a lifeline by the team to test in the build-up to round five of ASBK at Morgan Park, which later eventuated into an opportunity to compete in Warwick.

He impressed on debut with Ducati and scored his strongest results of the season to land fourth overall at Morgan Park, tied on points with third, and will compete at Phillip Island and The Bend with the outfit.

“I was really happy with the way I rode at Morgan Park, and I was grateful for the opportunity that DesmoSport Ducati gave me, but it was always a one-round deal,” Pearson explained.

“I believe I have more to offer and really want to ride the Panigale V4 R again, and that’s basically the conversation I had with Ben [Henry] and Troy [Bayliss].

“There are financial hurdles for myself and for the team to get around, and they are focused on Bryan [Staring] having a strong finish to the season, but we’ve agreed to terms and I’m excited to finish my first ASBK season with DesmoSport.”

To help alleviate the financial burden of having another rider within the team, DesmoSport Ducati Crew Memberships will be launched which enable members to have their name on the racebike, most likely at the front of the tank, and importantly ensure they don’t miss out on highly sought after events such as the Ducati Track Days and MotoGP hospitality at Phillip Island.

“Broc did a fantastic job at Morgan Park, and I think it’s fair to say that he earned the opportunity to race the remainder of the season with us, alongside Bryan,” said DesmoSport Ducati co-owner Ben Henry.

“Our support and budgets for 2022 were focused on a one rider effort, so the additional costs for an extra rider is really where the delay in confirming Broc’s place with us has come from.

“It’s quite a jump when you consider extra staff, flights, accommodation, and food on top of the costs of building and preparing a race bike, but Troy and I have looked at the numbers and put an offer to Broc that he’s accepted.

“Knowing the costs are going to be higher, we’ve also decided to push forward with a concept that we’ve been working on in the background for a few months now too, so keep an eye out as we launch DesmoSport Ducati Crew Memberships.”

DesmoSport Ducati co-owner Troy Bayliss added: “Broc did more than enough to earn a spot next to Bryan in the garage after his performance at Morgan Park. He proved that he can race with Australia’s best superbike riders I’m happy that Ben and I could work out a way to let him finish the season with us.

“Morgan Park was a local track for Broc, but I don’t think it’s his strongest track, so it will be great to see him ride at Phillip Island and The Bend on the DesmoSport Ducati Panigale V4 R.”