When the Superbike World Championship began in , he was one of its first entrants, finishing as championship runner-up in  and , and in the top five four other times. He won 10 races and took 37 further podium finishes.
When the Superbike World Championship began in , he was among its initial competitors, finishing as runner-up in  and , and achieving a position within the top five on four other occasions. He won ten races and achieved 37 further podium finishes.