WORLD Superbike champion Carl Fogarty was today stunned by news that team-mate Troy Corser has been dumped by Ducati.

His new partner for next season will now be former American superbike champion Ben Bostrum.

Fogarty, who enjoyed working with the Australian, was told at the final round in Japan that Corser would be returning.

But Ducati chiefs have since had a rethink and Fogarty was informed a during publicity engagement in Italy yesterday.

He said: "It was a big surprise. I am not 100 per cent sure what has happened but I think some people at the factory said they didn't want Troy back.

"The company is American-owned and they perhaps wanted to get an American in.

"Maybe Ducati are looking to the future and some of Troy's results, especially in Japan, have not helped him - 13th on a factory bike with the same tyres as me is not acceptable.

"I have had a different team-mate every year so it's not a problem.

"Bostrum's a young guy in his first season in the world championship and will not be expected to win it, so I will probably have to work on my own more than last year.

"But I do not really know him that well."

Bostrum, 25, had an impressive day in the Laguna Seca round of this year's world championship, winning the second race and finishing second in race one.

The Californian was second in this year's AMA Championship on a Vance & Hines Ducati, having won the title in 1998.

He said: "To race in the championship is a dream. I am looking forward to learning off Carl, he is the best in the business."

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