From a press release issued by FGSport Group:

New Bikes, New Riders, New Teams

The 2004 World Endurance Championship season starts in just over two weeks. The winter has seen many changes for the permanent teams who are contracted to take part in the full championship, making performance predictions very difficult.

2003 World Endurance Champions Phase One Endurance will run Yamaha R1s for the first time after three successful years with Suzuki’s GSX-R1000, while Swedish team Fagersjo-el.se have switched from Yamaha R1s to Suzuki GSX-R1000s. Diablo GB move to Kawasaki for this year; along with their partners Kawasaki Bolliger Team they will campaign the new ZX-10R for the first time.

The changes continue amongst the other marques; X-One will run factory Benelli Tornados, MV Agusta Burger King Lust are another successful squad with a new bike, Ducati Team Spring represent the Italian marque for the first time, and Honda make a welcome comeback, represented by WRT Honda Austria.

There have been a number of significant rider changes for 2004. Yamaha GMT94 have brought in Stephane Gimbert to join Checa and Costes, Yamaha Endurance Moto 38 will field Gwen Giabbani and Phillipe Dobe with Cazade, Yamaha Austria have recruited Igor Jerman and Thomas Hinterreiter to join Saiger, Stephane Mertens moves to Yamaha Phase One with Ellison and Notman, and Laurent Brian joins Kellenberger and Stamm at Kawasaki Bolliger Team. All are experienced endurance riders adding to the skills of teams already amongst the best in the world.

Finally, Suzuki Castrol Team are back in the official FIM World Endurance Championship. One of the most respected teams in the endurance paddock; they have five World Endurance Championship titles to their name, with 38 race victories during their 24 year endurance history. After a two year break following their SuperProduction class win in 2001, Dominic Meliand’s ultra-professional and well supported team are expected to make a real impact on the championship.

The first round of the seven race World Endurance Championship is the Assen 500 on the 12th of April.