McCoy to World Superbike

Australian Garry McCoy will ride a Ducati in the 2004 Superbike World Championship, after failing to broker a deal to continue his stellar MotoGP career.

The 31-year-old, from Camden in NSW, will fill the seat at NCR Ducati vacated by Frenchman Regis Laconi, in what will be his first foray into the production-based four-stroke class.

McCoy, alongside countryman Andrew Pitt, raced Kawasaki’s all-new – but ultimately beleaguered -- MotoGP machine in 2003, but severed ties with the Japanese factory at season’s end. He has won five grands prix over an 11-year period, including three in the premier MotoGP (nee 500cc) class.

Five Australians will now compete in the 2004 world Superbike title, with McCoy set to join 1996 world champion Troy Corser (Foggy Petronas), Steve Martin (DFX Ducati), ex World Endurance Champion Warwick Nowland and recently crowned world Supersport champion Chris Vermeulen on the grid – the country’s best full-time representation since 2001.

Meanwhile, there will be another three home-grown riders in the corresponding 2004 world Supersport title: Kevin Curtain (Yamaha) and Honda duo Broc Parkes and Karl Muggeridge.

The Australian leg of the two championships will be held at Phillip Island (Vic) from March 26-28.