Pata Yamaha WorldSBK pairing Alex Lowes and Michael van der Mark will again team up as the Iwata brand goes for an unprecedented fifth Suzuka Eight-Hours win in a row.

The pair, who will ride in 1985 replica Tech21 colours, will also have test rider Kats Nakasuga in their corner in a team managed by All Japan JSB1000 Yamaha Factory Racing boss manager Wataru Yoshikawa.

“It’s a great honour for me to be asked back by Yamaha to represent them at this year’s Suzuka Eight-Hours. We are trying to win the fifth straight victory for Yamaha and we have the same rider line-up as the last couple of years,” said Lowes.

We know each other really well and get on really well, so it’s a fantastic line-up. One more thing that I’m really excited about is the new colours, the TECH21 livery. I can’t wait to see the bike in person and I can’t wait to get to Suzuka.”

Van der Mark added: “Our goal of course is to win for the fifth consecutive time and it will be really tough, but I’m really looking forward to it. We have some really special memories from the last couple of years so we will do everything to win again.

“This year we will be running a special livery again, the TECH21 livery. Many people will know it from many years back so it will be a really special weekend and I can’t wait to see all the Japanese fans at the race.”