Pedercini Kawasaki confirm 2012 WSB line-up

World Supersport runner-up David Salom will make the switch to the World Superbike Championship in 2012 with the long standing Pedercini Kawasaki squad.

Salom, aged 27 will ride alongside Argentinian Tat Mercado who already has experience in the Italian team having competed in the Superstock 100FIm Cup in 2011.

Salom previously rode for the team back in 2009 before switching to the factory supported Kawasaki team in WSS. He said: “I’m very happy to say that I will join the Pedercini Team for the 2012 World Superbike championship. I know all the Pedercini team and they are professional, enthusiastic and ambitious. I want to thank the Pedercini family as they are giving me the opportunity to compete once again in the World Superbike category. I’m really looking forward to this new adventure, as staying on a Kawasaki motorcycle was very important to me. I know that, compared with 2009, the bike is now more competitive and the team also has more experience so I can’t wait to get started!”

Mercado aged just 19 will be the youngest rider on the 2012 grid. He said: ““I am really happy to have made this choice and proud to be competing with Team Pedercini in World Superbike. Right from the start of my career, I always considered Superbike to be the premier class and my main goal. I am honoured to remain a part of this fantastic group of people and to be joining them as part of an ambitious project. I’m also very happy to have David Salom as a teammate. I know he’s an expert rider and I’m sure he’ll help me as I start this new adventure in such a difficult world championship. I’ll do my best to pay back the faith Pedercini family have shown in me with some good results and technical development.”

Salom and Mercado will get their first test on the ZX-10R at Phillip Island on 13th to 15th February.