Voltcom Suzuki’s Alex Lowes will make his endurance racing and Suzuka Eight-Hours debut when he joins Josh Waters in the Yoshimura Suzuki team next month.

Lowes replaces World Superbike team-mate Randy De Puniet in the squad to go up against two-times MotoGP World Champion Casey Stoner in the Mushashi team, and the works Yamaha pair of Bradley Smith and Pol Espargaro.

“I’m really looking forward to challenging myself at the iconic Eight-Hours race and working with the Yoshimura Suzuki team. They are a great support to us in the World Superbike Championship and I’m really excited to see how they do things.

“The Suzuka track is a favourite amongst many riders and while it’s going to be a lot for me to learn, I’m really excited about the opportunity. It’s going to be an interesting challenge especially with the test and race each side of the Laguna Seca WSBK round in July but think I can go and do a good job.

“I’m looking forward to getting over to Japan, getting started and representing the Voltcom Crescent Suzuki and Yoshimura partnership for my first endurance race.”