Eugene Laverty has switched to the BMW Motorrad team for WorldSBK 2020, replacing the outgoing Markus Reiterberger.
Laverty has spent a good deal of this season injured due to a massive crash at Imola which saw him break both wrists, but he has struck a deal with the German squad and will partner Tom Sykes.
“First of all, we have got to thank Markus Reiterberger for his commitment and efforts,” said team boss Shaun Muir.
Equally, I’m delighted to welcome Eugene Laverty into the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team for 2020, and also to welcome him back to the SMR team.
“Eugene joins the team and brings with him a wealth of quality and experience. We strongly believe that he can be a firm challenger for the podium and have a strong championship.
“As soon as he hits the track at pre-season testing in November, the bike will be on another level and I think that the combination of his experience and his speed will be a welcome addition to the WorldSBK project.”
This leaves a spot open in the Puccetti Kawasaki team, vacated by Toprak Razgatlioglu, which Leon Camier could take up.
It had been thought Laverty could join the Puccetti squad as he has close ties with the team’s crew chief Phil Marron.
Reiterberger is in line to join BMW's new World Endurance squad, run by Werner Daemen.