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Three-times American Superbike champion Ben Spies has said any of 10 riders can win the 2009 World Superbike title ahead of the season-opening race this weekend at Phillip Island.

Spies, who is the United States' best hope for the world crown since current Yamaha Tech 3 rider in MotoGP Colin Edwards's triumphs in 2000 and 2002, will ride with Yamaha in WSB.

"There are a lot of fast guys around here and I'm used to racing pretty much one," he said, referring to his former Yoshimura Suzuki team-mate in the AMA championship Mat Mladin.

"Now there are 10 who can win the title, so it's a really good series. The team is really good: the bike was a big change to get used to after switching to Yamaha from another manufacturer, and the tyres are new.

"Even for Yamaha the bike is new, so it's a big change for them too. It's been going really good so far, but it's going to be a tough year."

The season will get underway on Friday in Australia without triple WSB champion Troy Bayliss, who has retired.

His fellow Australian Troy Corser will be riding the debut bike of German manufacturer BMW.

"It was a late start for us as I had to wait until my previous contract expired before I could test the bike, but we've made some good progress," said two-times champion Corser, who rode for Yamaha in 2007 and 2008.

"Every time we've had a test, I've given them information and they've gone away and made some improvements, so fingers crossed that we can keep doing that this year.

"Maybe for some people it seems a bit of a gamble, but I think I've got enough experience to get to the front."

Watch World and British Superbikes live on your PC via the Eurosport Player, starting with the WSB's first round at Phillip Island on Sunday March 1 - click on the link under the picture to subscribe Or watch the action on British Eurosport - available in the UK on Sky channel 410 and Virgin Media channel 521 or British Eurosport 2 - available on Sky 411 and Virgin Media 525

Jonathan Symcox / Eurosport