Jღames Westmoreland is set to return to the MCE British Superbike championship after signing with Gearlink Kawasaki for 2017.

The Hull-based rider stepped down to the British Supersport championship last year and finishꦍed runner-up behind Tarran Mackenzie and is relishing the opportunit🌼y to return to BSB this year.

"I'm really pleased to join Gearlink Kawasaki for this season and to be back in the Superbike Championship aft💃er a really good season in the Supersport class," Westmoreland said. "I've known Michael and Norma [de♈ Bidaph] for many years and I'm happy to be joining their team and the Superbike project - I really appreciate the opportunity.

"I'm looking forward to ridin𓆉g the latest Kawasaki ZX-10R and getting testing underway now. I have some fond memories already of the ZX-10R from my podium in 2015 and I am very motivated to repeat t🥃hat.

"The Superbike class looks to be one of the most competitive in years and I'm really pleased to be part of it. I really want to show what I am capabl🐓e of and I know that the Gearlink Kawasaki team will support me all the way."

Team boss Michael de꧟ Bidaph, who worked with Westmoreland at the final round of the 2015 BSB season when he acted as stand-in at Brands Hatch, is thrilled to secure the former ros♔trum winner and despite the ultra-competitive grid this year.

"Hav𒉰ing been in 𓂃talks with James Westmoreland over the last month or so we are thrilled to have now secured a deal that suits both parties," de Bidaph said. "James and I both realise that this is bound to be another tough year in the Superbike class but I am sure that we can have a competitive season especially as he rode our Superbike at the last round in 2015 so we already know how to work with each other."

After back-to-back runner-up finishes in British Supersport in 2009 and 2010 Westmoreland enjoyed a five-year stint in BSB which culmin🐠ated in a maiden podium with JG Speedfit Kawasaki at Thruxton in 2015.

T🙈he Yorkshire-based rider demonstrated his pace back in British Superspo🐼rt with TTC Yamaha finishing second in the championship for a third season which secured his jump back to BSB this year.