Honda Racing UK has announced an expansion of the team ahead of the 2022 Bennetts British Superbike Championship with current Superstock champion Tom Neave stepping up into the premier class alongside Glenn Irwin, Ryo Mizuno and Takumi Takahashi.

Running four bikes in the Superbike class is a first for the Honda team and one that shows Honda UK’s commitment to the highly competitive British championship, as well as nurturing young talent through the Honda Superbike Challenge Programme.

The programme is designed to support racers competing in national championships worldwide, to take further steps in their racing careers, which for 2022 sees Neave make the next step into the Superbike class.

“I’m really pleased to see Tom move up the ranks into BSB for the 2022 season, it’s been a pleasure working with him in the Superstock class where we’ve watched him grow from his debut with the team, through to becoming the 2021 champion,” said Havier Beltran, Team Manager, Honda Racing UK.

“It’s always great when you can support and nurture young talent into the next step of their career and it’s going to be an exciting season for him.

“I’m pleased Glenn is continuing with us. We know he has the pace to fight at the front, which he has shown in the last two seasons with the team, it’s just been bad luck that has hampered his progress as well as injury this season, but I am confident a fit Glenn Irwin can be a contender for the title.

I’m also delighted to have Ryo and Takumi back with us for next year, they played a vital role for the team this season testing and developing new components and now with more track knowledge, I think we’ll see them further up the grid and fighting for the top-ten.”