The seven-time Formula One world champion has been told that “he only needs to ask” for a ride in World Superbikes in 2009 by Honda chiefs, undoubtedly eager for the increased profile that the German will bring to both the manufacturer and the championship.

Schumacher, who has entered a number of superbike races in Germany and around the world and tested for the Ducati MotoGP team, has reportedly been keen on pursuing a career further in two-wheel racing but may find the step to world competition to great for the time being.

“Michael is convinced that at the moment the German championship is the ideal level for him,” Fiorani, an ex-Ferrari man, told the Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.

“We’ll give him the maximum support, given that there the regulations don’t allow for modifications. For the moment he hasn’t asked us to run in the world championship in 2009, but if he wants to, there is already a bike ready for him. He only needs to ask for it.”

The three-time AMA champion signed with Yamaha’s factory WSB team for 2009, along with Sykes to replace outgoing duo Troy Corser and Noriyuki Haga and whilst the pair have had just one testing session on the new R1, team bosses are pleased with what they have seen from their new acquisitions.

“Ben Spies showed his qualities right from the start,” Meregalli told the World Superbike website. “He is a determined guy but has his feet firmly on the ground. He wants to do things in stages, and is already hard at work. He looked impressive on the bike, and without knowing the track he was already lapping at Haga’s race pace on day 2.

“As for Tom Sykes, he concentrated mainly on establishing a good feeling with the bike and all things considered his times were satisfactory.”

While a ride in MotoGP had long been expected for Spies following wildcard rides with Suzuki, Meregalli insists the American is more than happy to be racing in World Superbikes instead, particularly as his primary aim for 2009 was to move to a top team, regardless of the championship.

“He wanted a professional team and a competitive machine and when we made a proposal to him, he didn’t waste much time in accepting. He decided to come to SBK because he wants to win and joining Yamaha seemed like an excellent opportunity”.

One concern over the pair relates to circuit unfamiliarity but Meregalli has no doubts that the pair can overcome that particular hurdle.

“I feel sure that top riders know where to put the bike on the track after a couple of practice sessions,” he added. “The tests at Portimao were a clear demonstration of this. Both Ben and Tom will be put in the best conditions to be very competitive right from the start.”

After an intense endurance event in Losail, Yamaha claimed all three podium spots with Britain’s Steve Plater part the winning Austria Racing Team alongside Igor Jerman and Steve Martin.

For Jerman and Martin it was a case of sweet revenge after narrowly missing out on victory in Losail twelve months previously. Their triumph, together with Plater on this occasion, gave YART their first set of winner’s garlands in 2008 and confirmed their vice-champion standing in the ‘08 competition.

The Qatar event represented the third consecutive podium finish for YART as they took 2nd position at Oschersleben in August and 3rd spot at the Bol d’Or in France in September.

The team ended the eight-hour session three laps ahead of Folch Endurance, with the Spanish duo of Daniel Ribalta and Pedro Vallcaneras losing precious time to a rear wheel problem whilst minor problems also impeded the progress of third-placed Maco Moto Racing, with Jason Pridmore and Thomas Hinterreiter joined by WSB runner Jakub Smrz for a what proved to be a well deserved podium.

The deal, which was announced last week, was made official today with Paul Bird meeting staff and officials at the Kawasaki Motors Europe UK branch to discuss preparations for next season.

Taking over from San Marino based company PSG-1 Corse, PBM are charged with returning Kawasaki to the front of the field in 2009 after several years of underachievement compared to the likes of Ducati, Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha.

Speaking after the deal was signed, Paul Bird admitted that agreeing to become the official flag bearer for Kawasaki was a dream come true.

“Working with a Japanese manufacturer - especially one with the engineering heritage of Kawasaki - was always a dream, but now it is reality. I can still hardly believe it,” he said.

Bird, who has links with Kawasaki from his involvement in Motocross, was also looking forward to working with both the new 2009 Ninja ZX-10R superbike and the latest KX450F four stroke motocross machine.

“I rode Kawasakis in motocross for ten years and won a few Northern Centre Championships along the way,” he added.

“To now be in this position, and having this immense responsibility, has only just started to sink in. I’ve got the team to do the job and, like me, they can’t wait to develop the Ninja ZX-10R into a WSB podium contender.”

Kawasaki European Race Planning Manager Steve Guttridge was also upbeat about the brand’s prospects. “Today was just about the final few issues of our agreement,” he said.

“We have a great deal of respect for what Paul has achieved in racing and his enthusiasm is infectious. Already he has made plans for phase one of an extensive machine development and testing programme which bodes well for the future success of the partnership”.

Haslam, who took up a wildcard ride with HM Plant Honda at last weekend’s final round of the WSB championship in Portimao, officially began life as a World Superbikes rider this week in the post-season test with Stiggy Honda.

The former British Superbikes rider and new teammate Roberto Rolfo both took to the course on a WSB-spec Paul Bird Motorsport Honda, with Haslam, who claimed a podium finish on a BSB-spec bike on Sunday, clocking the seventh best time over the test.

Managing a best lap of 1:44.6, four tenths quicker than experienced Honda rider Rolfo, Haslam was pleased with his first impressions of the machine.

“I’m really happy! It has been a positive two day shakedown for us,” said Haslam.

“The team works really well and we found out a lot of information about the bike. I managed a 1:44, only 0.5 off my best time with HM-Plant last weekend, so I’m happy with that. My goal for today was to get in the 1:44s and I’m pleased we managed that.

“We know what we need to change and what work has to be done for the next test, so that’s good.”

The result will give plenty of optimism for team owner John Stigfelt as he ramps up the team’s testing activity in the coming months.

“In the Supersport class we were using the same bikes in the test as this season - except for the suspension where we tried some new parts from Ohlins,” he explained.

“The test was just to let our riders get a first impression of the team, the machinery and find their right positions on the bikes.

“In the SBK class we are using only one bike at the moment, with Leon and Roby sharing it so that they can evaluate the engine and electronics side for the first time.”

Aprilia will return to superbikes competition next season with the RSV-4 and, after building up an impressive looking line-up with Biaggi and MotoGP veteran Shinya Nakano, the factory has shown its ambition to make an impression on their return to WSB.

There was more reason for optimism in testing at Portimao, with Biaggi recording a time of 1:44.1 around the Portuguese circuit - six tenths better than his best race lap on the Sterilgarda Ducati.

That result left Biaggi in no doubt that the Aprilia will be a force in WSB competition next season and believes that the bike has plenty to offer.

“Today the second and last day of the Portimao test finished,” he said. “The two days have been very important for us, given that we have a completely new bike. The impression is that the indications already given have been accurate, and now we have to wait for the next test in December.

“I’ve got a good feeling with the guys in the team and we’re motivated to do well. I can’t wait to get back on the bike again, but unfortunately I’ve got to wait a month. I’ll conclude by saying that I’m happy to be with this team and to be working with Aprilia.”

The British Superbikes champion took to his new bike and new team for the first time in Portugal and toppled the best race times of both outgoing Sterilgarda riders Ruben Xaus and Max Biaggi by almost a second.

Byrne set a best lap of 1:43.6 on the final afternoon of the test beating Yamaha rider Ben Spies by three-tenths and Biaggi, now riding with Aprilia, by a further two tenths.

Byrne wasn’t the only Brit to impress however, with Spies’ Yamaha teammate Tom Sykes lapping in fourth at 1:44.5, with Stiggy Honda rider Leon Haslam just behind.

Speaking after the test, Sykes said; “For me it’s been a very good test. Having done two days I now feel fully part of the team. It was quite difficult arriving on Tuesday morning for the first day of the test, facing a new bike, a new circuit, and a new team.

“For the 2009 bike, considering it’s at a very early stage of development, I think it’s a fantastic package. The feeling coming out of the corner is unbelievably smooth, the power is so controllable, and the whole bike remains incredibly stable. There is still lots to be done but the outcome is already very good.”

The fourth Brit to leave the BSB championship, Cal Crutchlow, dominated World Supersport testing with a lap of 1:44.9 - a time that would have placed him eighth in the WSB field.

Unofficial Practice Times:

Shane Byrne (Ducati) – 1m 43.6s
Ben Spies – (Yamaha 09) – 1m 43.9s
Max Biaggi – (Aprilia) – 1m44.1s
Tom Sykes – (Yamaha 08) – 1m 44.3s
Leon Haslam - (Honda) – 1m 44.7s
Roberto Rolfo – (Honda) 1m 45.0s
Regis Laconi – (Honda) 1m 45.5

The Huddersfield-born rider, who left British Superbikes at the end of the season, took to both the 2008 and 2009 Yamaha Superbikes along with new American teammate Ben Spies in poor conditions at the Portuguese circuit.

Sykes recorded a best time of 1:46.0 on the 2008 edition R1 but both Sykes and Yamaha were keeping tight-lipped about the performance of the 2009 model.

Speaking after the test, Sykes said: “The 2008 bike was a little bit different and we got the bike to how I wanted it and then put it to one side. I’m happy how quickly I got to grips with the 2008 bike, and if I had jumped out again after lunch when the track was at its best I could have put my head down and been happy with the outcome.”

Multi-AMA series champion Spies clocked  the day’s fastest time at 1:44.0, just a fraction slower than Sunday’s race pace.

The American, who was strongly tipped with a move to MotoGP with Suzuki, was complimentary about his new teammate.

“The most important thing for me to do was to learn the Pirellis and Öhlins suspension, and it was my first day for a new bike, new track, new team,” he said.

“Tom is really good to work with. We tried to work through a lot together. The crew, the team, everything is just a great package and I am looking forward to next year.”

The 1198S draws on the 1098 generation models for inspiration and is a gradual evolution of the sporting concept. Featuring a bigger 1198.4cc V-twin motor, the bike now develops a claimed 170bhp and more importantly has a dry weight of just 169Kgs - the lightest ever big twin motorcycle say Ducati.

Those who want to track day the 1198S will be keen to learn more about the traction control fitted as standard on it. This is just an optional extra on the standard 1198 model, but the S has an eight-mode traction control package, which can be operated on the move from the left-hand handlebar button cluster.

The modes offer differing levels of rear wheel control, depending on how hard the rider is pushing the bike. So a confident rider can select minimal interference from the system if they prefer to feel the bike spinning up a touch out of corners. A warning light on the dashboard indicates when the traction control is in operation, instantly cutting the power to the rear wheel. The system is also being fitted to the 1098R model for 2009.

The 1198S also comes with a data-logging system, so that by plugging in a USB type device, the throttle opening, top speeds, lap times, engine rpm, gear selection, distance travelled etc. can all be downloaded onto a laptop. Just don’t put it all the information on You Tube…

The 1198S also has extras like a carbon fibre front mudguard, Ohlins suspension front and rear, plus GP replica Marchesini wheels, to set it apart from the stock 1198 model. There’s no word on prices in the UK as yet, but more information will probably be announced at the NEC show later this month.

Disaster struck Roberts at the last round at Magny Cours, where the young Australian was unable to finish the race after a gear box problem, dropping him to fourth in the Championship table. The 23-year-old originally from Adelaide, Australia, knew that he had to win in Portugal this weekend and hope for the best, his dreams came true and Roberts secured the race win and the Championship title for the Ducati Xerox Junior Team.

Riding the Ducati 1098R Roberts was eager to show people his true colours and was on flying form throughout the weekend at Portimao. Roberts topped the time sheets in both qualifying sessions and was eager to fight off his opposition during the 12-lap race. After a last minute tyre change on the grid due to the changing weather conditions, Roberts got a great start and was leading into the first turn, but slipped back to third after the opening lap behind Chris Seaton and Championship leader Xavier Simeon.

Roberts got tied up in a battle for second position and also the Championship, with Simeon and the two battled with each other, swapping positions for a couple of laps, Roberts finally made the move stick and he began to hunt down fellow Australian Seaton for the lead. Making a comfortable pass on lap eight Roberts had to remain focused for the remainder of the race. Cutting down his lap times he stretched out nearly a three second lead at the chequered flag, winning the Championship by seven points after going into Portimao with a nine point deficit.

A delighted Roberts commented “I’ve not had it as easy as I would have liked this year and I knew I really had my work cut out this weekend and knew that if I had any small chance of winning the Championship I had to win the race. The Ducati Xerox Junior Team have worked so hard all year to provide me with the best bike and I’m so grateful to them for everything they have done and glad that I was able to repay them with their second consecutive Championship title in two years. It all went down to this weekend and I knew I had to perform and get a good result. After the nightmare that I had at Magny Cours I was just praying that it would all go right for us this weekend, thankfully it did and I managed to secure the number one plate for myself and the team. I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me over the last couple of years and glad after my serious wrist injury last year, that I was able to get back to top form. I’m not sure yet on my plans for next year but hope to let everyone know soon.”