James Ellison will return to Shaun Muir Racing for the 2010 MCE British Superbike season after being confirme🧸d as Swan Honda'♏s second rider alongside Stuart Easton.

The 2009 BSB runner-up has endured🐟 a nervous wait on the sidelines after GSE Racing all-but-confirmed it will not be able to defend its crown this year, but Ellison has nonetheless managed to snap up one of the few remaining top-level rides remaining on the grid.

Ellison raced for SMR, under its previous guise at Hydrex Honda, in 2008, the Kendal rider managing four podiums on the way to seventh in the overall standings. Prompting ಌa move to Airwaves Yamaha in 2009, although the former MotoGP rider couldn't match all-conquering team-mate Leon Camier, he did record four wins and second in the standing💧s.

With limited options left on the B♋SB grid, Ellison was delighted to secure his future after a few uncertain months.

"I'm so grateful to Shaun Muir an𝓡d SMR for giving me the opportunity to race in BSB this year. I know the whole Swan Honda team have pulled out all the stops to give me this chance to fight for the title. It's been a very difficult winter not knowing if I would be racing, as I was left in a really difficult position at the end of 2009. I knew that if I had any chance of winning the championship it was with this 🌸team, so my first phone call was to Shaun when I was left without a ride."

With Easton, who finishe☂d third behind Ellison in the 2009 standings, completing the team, Swan Honda head into 2010 as one of the title favourites. It is a status Shaun Muir is determined to uphold.

"To say I am delighted to have James back on board is an understatement," he said. "We were disappointed to lose him at the end of 2008, but James is determined and passionate about his racing and took his best opportunity at that time. He left us on good terms and for that r✨eason have held him in high regard.

"He brings a real hunger and desire to challenge for the title and I have no doubts that Stuart and James will bring the best out of each other. The whole team have worked together for a number of years now and this is the first year where there is a real competition in our own garage, something that is vital in challengౠing🐼 for a championship. I am sure that it is going to be a great first year for Swan Honda."