Loris Baz 🦂will make a sensational return to W♈orldSBK in 2022 after officially joining Bonovo BMW Racing, while the German outfit has also signed Eugene Laverty.

Baz, who finished fourth in his debut MotoAmerica season this year, returns to WorldSBK after two stunning stand-in performances for the injured Cꦯhaz Davies at Jerez and Portimao - cla🐎imed two podiums in five races.

The French rider, most known for his time at Kawasaki an🌺d Yamaha, will also be making a return to BMW machin♍ery for the first time since 2018.

"I am really happy to be back in WorldSBK so I want to thank BMW and the Bono꧃🐬vo action BMW Racing Team for giving me this opportunity," said Baz. 

"I think that I have 🎶shown during these two rounds in Spain and Portugal that I have the pace to fight at༒ the front in this championship. 

"BMW is the brand that grew the most in the s⭕econd part of the season. I have closely watched how th𝓡e bike was improving. 

"I have been racing with BMW before so I know a lot 🤪of people there and also, I have been competing with MGM Racing for one race back in 2012. 

"I am really happy and really excited about this ꧙opportunity and am looking forward to trying the bike and to starting to work together with the team and BMW. Thanks again to all the people involved in this project."

Bonovo BMW Racing has𓃲 also elected to increase it’s participation from one to two bikes for the 2022 season.

Jonas Folger, who had an up-and-down rookie season for the team up until their last race of the year in Portimao, makes way for long-time BMW rider E🦩ugene Laverty, who himself has had a challenging year with the Squadra Corse BMW outfit. 

The Irish rider has missed several rounds this season due to the team needing ‘internal rest💟ructuring’, however, with Tom Sykes being out injured sꦰince Catalunya, Laverty has been competing for the factory team since then. 

Speaking about his move to Bonovo, Laverty said: "I’m v🌠ery happy to continue with BMW Motorrad and join the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team for the 2🥃022 World Superbike season. 

"It is fantastic to remain in t⛎he BMW WorldSBK family. The past six months have been tough for me as a rider and so I’m very grateful for the contཧinued support and belief from everyone involved in this project. 

"I’m very motivated to repay that faith in my abilities and I ✨feel confide♐nt that following a solid winter testing campaign we can arrive ready and competitive at round one."