In a World Superbike career that first began in 2000, Noriyuki Haga of Nagoya, Japan has competed in precisely 230 races, captured 33 race wins and 87 podium finishes. In fact in 26 races into the 2008 season, Haga, one of the most beloved and spectacular riders in WSB history, has guided his #41 Yamaha Motor Italia YZF-R1 to seven wins and has appeared on the podium eleven times. He is currently second only to Troy Bayliss on the 2008 championship points table.

However the 2008 and 2009 off-season will bring upon a major change in the mercurial rider’s World Superbike career. For as of this week the Ducati Xerox Team announced that Ducati Corse has signed Noriyuki Haga to join the Ducati Xerox Team for the 2009 World Superbike Championship Series. Haga, aged 33, will be teamed with Italian-born rider Michel Fabrizio.

"I am very proud to be able to welcome Noriyuki," said Davide Tardozzi, Ducati Corse Team Manager. "We are convinced he is one of the strongest and best loved of the Superbike riders, a talented and courageous man. He is a rider that has proved that he never gives up, in the true spirit of Ducati, and is a rider with the credentials to fill the place that Troy Bayliss vacates. Haga will, for the first time, ride a factory Ducati, and I am certain that he will win over the Ducatisti fans and bring great satisfaction. We are very proud to have him in next year's squad together with Michel. They are two fantastic riders and we will do everything to ensure that they can achieve the great results that everyone hopes are possible."