JAMES Ellison lines up for the final MotorGP of the season this weekend secure in the knowledge that he will be back next season to challenge for honours in the top flight of motorcycle racing.

WCM have confirmed that 24-year-old Ellison, from Kendal, will ride their brand new Blata V6 machine in the 2005 world championship.

Ellison, who won the British Superbike Cup in September, was promptly grabbed by the Harris WCM team to stand in for the injured Chris Burns and, even on an under-powered bike he so impressed the team that has now been handed a contract for next season.

He finished 22nd in the Australian Grand Prix running off track, dropping his bike and riding back to the pits to change handlebars and fairing.

This weekend he rides in the Spanish Grand Prix at Valencia and will then spend the winter testing with WCM who, in partnership with the Czech government and manufacturers Blata are developing a new V6 racing machine.

Meanwhile older brother Dean will be competing at Donnington Park this weekend in the multi-discipline Moto1 Challenge. The aim is to discover Britain's best over four fields: trials, motocross, supermoto and road racing. Dean, 26, has had three years in British Superbike, World Superbike, Endurance and Supersport and motocross.