HM Plant Honda is looking for two new riders after it was officially confirmed that L꧂eon Haslam will leave the team for a World Superbike ride in 2009.

The 25-year-old is nearing the end of 🌠his fourth season in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship - but first with HM Plant and Honda.

After a slow start, Haslam has achieved five race wins and a further five podiums to sit s🧜econd in the championship, 17 points ahead of Tom Sykes wཧith one round to go.

Haslam, who last raced i🃏n WSBK with Renegade Ducati in 2004, is expected✨ to return to the series with Stiggy Motorsports Honda in 2009.

"Making a decision about 2009 has been an incredibly hard one for🧜 me," said Leon. "I've enjoyed this season so much with HM Plant Honda in BSB, had one of the best years of my career and know I could probably take the title next year. But🦄 the world scene is where my heart is and looking at the teams there and current rider movements, the World Superbike Championship is where I really need to be - and my ideal would be on a Honda. I'd like to thank the HM Plant Honda team for a great year and their continued belief in me and let's hope we can finish this season on a real high at next weekend's last round of the British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch."

"Leon has had a great year and worked very hard with the HM Plant Honda team to achieve good development of the new Fireblade and excellent race results on track," added team ma🔯nager Havier Beltran. "We made Leon an offer to stay with the team for 2009 but we fully understand his desire to return to the World Superbike Championship, support him in his decision and wish him great success for next season. We are talking to potential riders now for 2009 and will finalise the new HM Plant Honda rider line-up shortly."

Haslam's team-mate Cal Crutchlow has already been announced at the Y🎀amaha World Supersport outfit for 2009.

The final round of this season's British Superbike Championship will take p༺la💟ce at Brands Hatch from 10-12 October.