Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

World Superbike veteran Pierfrancesco Chili, 40, will ride a CBR1000RR for Klaffi Honda in the 2005 World Superbike Championship, according to an announcement on the Klaffi Honda team website.

Chili has been a popular and successful fixture in the World Superbike Championship since 1995. In his 239 race starts, Chili has earned 61 podium finishes, 17 race wins, 29 fastest race laps and 10 pole positions.

Though he spent most of his years riding V-Twin-powered Ducatis, Chili is no stranger to inline Fours. The Italian rode a Suzuki GSX-R750 from 1999 to 2001, collecting three wins and 18 podium finishes during that time.

The highest Chili has finished in the World Superbike Championship standings was fourth (1998 and 2000). He finished fifth in the 2004 Championship on a PSG-1 Ducati 998/999 hybrid.

Chili was quoted in the announcement as saying “thank you” to his crew members, none of whom accepted other job offers while waiting for him to finalize his deal with Klaffi Honda.

According to Klaffi Honda Team Owner and Manager, Klaus Klaffenbock, his decision for his lead rider came down to Chili or Ben Bostrom.

Bostrom is expected to be announced to the Renegade Honda World Superbike team some time after January 1, 2005.

The Klaffi Honda team will also field 21-year-old German Max Neukirchner in World Superbike. (Neukirchner, along with Sebastien Charpentier, rode for Klaffi Honda in the 2004 World Supersport Championship.) Fin Tatu Lauslehto will ride on Klaffi Honda’s World Supersport squad in 2005.