Will Haga replace Troy in 2009?

News that Noriyuki Haga will be the replacement for Troy Bayliss in 2009 and will ride the Ducati Xerox bike is on the verge of being confirmed.
This latest news is all over the press and has been reported by every presentator of World Superbike this weekend during the heavy rainfall at the Donington racetrack.

Haga had experience with Ducati during his time with the British Ducati Renegade Team in 2004, riding the customer-spec 999.
He was born in Japan on March 2,1975 and has completed 224 Superbike races with five pole-positions, 83 podiums and 30 wins.

The news is a bit of surprise as expectations were that Max Biaggi would be the replacement.
Ducati has not yet confirmed the news about Haga and the possible resigned contract from Troy’s team mate Michele Fabrizio.