Riba quits WSS to take Criville ride

Spanish World Supersport star Pere Riba has quit his Honda team to take Alex Criville’s vacant works Yamaha GP slot.

It was confirmed on Friday morning in Spain that negotiations between Riba and team boss Luis D’Antin have been finalised and he will now take over Criville’s works YZR500.

Criville is undergoing treatment for persistent fainting fits that have forced him to temporarily put his career on hold.

Riba was looking like being a title contender in World Supersport after some impressive pre-season testing performances. But his Dutch-based Ten Kate team is now in turmoil having lost its star rider just over a week before the first round in Valencia.

He will make his YZR debut at next weekend’s IRTA test in Barcelona where all the new four-strokes including Valentino Rossi’s Honda RCV will clash on the track for the first time together.