Motorpoint Yamaha confirms Loris Baz for 2011

As had been rumoured, Loris Baz will stay with Motorpoint Yamaha team for next year's British Superbike Championship.

The 17-year-old Frenchman spent most of last season racing in the European Superstock Championship, but switched to Motorpoint and BSB in place of the injured Andrew Pitt from Croft onwards.

Riding alongside Dan Linfoot, Baz took a best finish of sixth place from his seven race starts, and finished in the top ten on four occasions.

Motorpoint Yamaha Team Manager Rob Mac made clear he was highly impressed with Baz and he will now get to mount a full-season attack with the team in 2011.

"Loris will be great for our team, he really gelled with the guy's last season and his approach to his job was a breath of fresh air," said Rob Mac. "Now he has a full BSB season to look forward to on a bike and a team he is more than happy with.

"He is really excited about learning some of the UK tracks and is very confident about be able to challenge for the title."

"I am so happy to be with the Motorpoint Yamaha team, I want to be with Yamaha they have supported me through my career and for me to get a chance to ride at BSB with this championship winning bike is incredible," said Baz.

"It is great that I have worked already with the team as it takes time to get to know a new team especially as a foreigner! The pace of this UK racing is very fast and I love it! I have to learn some tracks but I really like that to, some times it less pressure and I can go fast where maybe I'm not supposed to!

"Anyway I have a big smile for next year, all the fans in UK seemed to like my riding and now we can focus on a full season so they can see me more.

"With the race format for the shoot out at the end of the season working really good for me, by the time the last three races come I will be much more familiar with the tracks and we can see if we can push for race wins!"

No mention was made of the second Motorpoint rider.