Matt Truelove will make his Bennetts British Superbike Championship debut in 2019 as Raceways Yamaha join the grid, running as a satellite team to the McAMS Yamaha squad of Jason O’Halloran and Tarran Mackenzie.

After riding a Superstock specification Yamaha YZF-R1 with the team this season, Truelove makes the step up to the blue-riband class with the Lancashire-based squad.

Carrying McAMS signage along with additional personal support, the Lincoln rider will be joining the main squad for a first taste of Superbike power at Almeria, Spain in a week’s time.

Truelove, who has only been racing for five years, took a second place finish in the Dickies British Supersport class and after settling into the Pirelli Superstock division he came close to the podium on several occasions.

“This is a perfect situation in terms of set-up to start out in Superbikes, as I’ve ridden the Superstock version of the bike, the team have developed a race-winning machine and I know the guys really well,” said Truelove.

“I’m obviously taking a big chance entering Superbike and I’m under no illusions it’s going to be tough, after all this is the toughest bike race series in the world. You only have to look at some of the big names who sometimes struggle to hit the front. But there’s no pressure and I’m going to focus on learning as much as possible and trying to progress.

“It’s great to have a test at Almeria so soon and I also hope I can learn from Taz who achieved so much in his Rookie season. I’m so thankful for this opportunity and can’t wait to get going.”