Joey Thompson will make his Bennetts British Superbike Championship debut this season, joining the NP Motorcycles team, stepping up from the Quattro Group British GP2 Championship.

Thompson scored top five finishes last season in the GP2 class, with the York-based rider also a previous podium finisher at the North West 200 road race and also a top five finisher at the Isle of Man TT.

Thompson said: “I am so excited to get started in the British Superbike class; I have done a lot of road racing and had success at the TT, Ulster and North West 200. I have been given an opportunity of a lifetime so I can’t thank Neil and all my personal sponsors enough for giving me this chance!

“I have been in and out of the BSB paddock for eight years now and to race in the premier class is a dream come true. I have no aims this season, I just look forward to building a strong relationship within the team, and to keep improving throughout the year.