The 'Ten Kate' team operates out of Holland and runs quite successful European SuperStock and World SuperSport Teams. 

Karl Muggeridge was the star of their stable in 2000 but has been lured away by a factory Suzuki ride with the 'Alstare Corona Suzuki' squad.

Shannon had 4 days to prove his mettle and that he did. The son of famous Australian motorcycle racing legend Andrew 'Ajay' Johnson just proved once again the depth of talent in Australia. After never seeing the Valencia track before Shannon got under the SuperStock lap record within 30 laps, while riding on second-hand Pirelli race rubber.

The team were shocked by Shannon's instant show of pace and typed a contract up for him on the spot whilst still at the track.  In fact they were so impressed they signed Shannon for a couple of years. 

2001 will see Shannon as their #1 rider in European SuperStock where he will be teamed with Dutch rider Kyro Verstraeten.  Shannon will also be 1st reserve for their World SuperSport Team should either of the regular riders for 2001 (Pere Riba & Fabian Foret) get injured.  From 2002 Shannon is contracted to ride World SuperSport for the Dutch based team.

Shannon not only showed his speed on the SuperStock Fireblade but also on the 600 SuperSport machinery.  On an older 2000 model bike he managed to go 4 tenths quicker than one of the team's currently signed World SuperSport riders on his first visit to the track!

All in all it looks like some Aussies are in with a great chance of big success in 2001.  My predictions are for Troy Bayliss to win World SuperBike, Karl Muggeridge to win SuperSport and Shannon Johnson to win SuperStock.