Australian Mark Aitchison has been confirmed for the Pedercini Kawasaki team to contest the 2011 Superbike World Championship.

Aitchison will make his debut alongside fellow Aussie Bryan Staring at the Phillip Island round of WSBK at the end of the month, before Staring steps down to focus on the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup in Europe.

“To say I am excited now about my season ahead is a major understatement,” Aitchison said. “To race in the World SBK class has always been a dream of mine and to be given this opportunity with a team that has such long history in World Superbike racing is something I am very proud of.

“I would like to thank all the Pedercini family for giving me such a wonderful chance to be a part of their team and I look forward to repaying their faith in me by giving all my motivation and dedication toward this project.

“In Phillip Island I’ll be riding and racing the bike for the first time, so even though it will not be easy, I understand that this is a long season.

“The new Kawasaki package looks amazing, the bike is relative in size to it’s 600cc counterpart and after I have some laps under my belt I’m sure my technicians and I will have a much clearer understanding for the development of the bike and how we need to improve to reach our goals.

“I’m extremely looking forward to this new challenge, and I’m especially looking forward to getting back onto the Phillip Island circuit, which I love to race on.”

Aitchison will be joined on the all-new Pedercini ZX-10R Superbike by Italian Roberto Rolfo for the season.