Honda has announced its updated line-up for the 2013 World Superbike and World Supersport championships.

The team is set to consist of four riders next year – Jonathan Rea and Leon Haslam will compete in the Superbikes section, while Lorenzo Zanetti and Michael van der Mark will ride in the Supersport category.

Rea will enter his sixth season with the Honda team, while Haslam returns to the Honda fold after a three-year absence.

Meanwhile, 29-year-old Italian Zanetti has been with the team for the last three years and hopes to form a formidable partnership with 19-year-old Dutchman van der Mark in the coming year.

All of the riders will take to the track in 2013 using the manufacturer's latest design for its iconic CBR1000RR Fireblade.

Significant development and testing is now set to get underway in the coming months, with Honda aiming to develop a package that can ensure all its riders have a great chance of reaching the podium on numerous occasions over the coming season.

Carlo Fiorani, racing operations manager at Honda Motor Europe, commented: "I am very proud and happy to make this announcement, especially with this fast and winning rider line-up. I would like to welcome Leon back to Honda's official World Superbike team.

"We are delighted to have another Haslam representing Honda once more and I am sure that, with these two riders, we can continue to achieve results that can fulfil their individual potential and that of the CBR1000RR Fireblade."

The team also announced a new sponsor for 2013 in the form of Italian snack manufacturer Pata.

Earlier this year, the performance motorcycle manufacturer announced its support for the RAF's Reserves Racing project in 2012.

The firm provided a number of Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade models for use in the British Superstock 1000 Championship, with the firm celebrating the 20th anniversary of the launch of the iconic superbike this year.

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Posted by Paul Durcan

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