Big names in Endurance

The World Endurance championship will be boosted in 2006 with a number of famous names joining the series.

Ex-250 and 125cc GP star Simon Sanna will ride for the Yama X-One team alongside Paolo Tessari and Giancarlo De Matteis, while Team Kawasaki France are listing Pascal Piot, Pere Riba, Steve Plater and Scott Smart for their wildcard entry for the Le Mans 24 hour event. All four riders will take part in qualifying, with three making it into the race.

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Meanwhile the 2004 world champions Yamaha GMT94 have David Checa, Sebastien Gimbert and Giovanni Bussei listed as official riders, but are testing at Le Mans with former MotoGP star Jerem McWilliams. Anthony Gobert has also ridden for the team in World Supersport this season.

British team Phase One Endurance will field Christer Miinin, Warwick Nowland and Damien Cudlin, while fellow Brits Diablo 666, who were supported by motorcyclenews.com in 2005, will run with James Hutchins, Marko Rohtlaan and Alex Cudlin, under manager Terry Rymer.

The season startys at Assen on April 17, with the Le Mans 24 Hour event on April 22-23.