James Westmoreland is set to ꦯreturn 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 finished runner-up behind Tarran Mackenzie an🍃d is relishing the opportunity t💃o return to BSB this year.

"I'm really pleased to join Gearlink Kawasaki for this season and to be back in the Superꦗbike Championship after 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 apprecia😼te the opportunity.

"I'm looking forward to riding the latest Kawasaki ZX-10R and getting testing underway now. I have some fond memories alꦫready of the ZX-10R from my podium in 2015 and I am very motivated to repeat ♔that.

"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 capable of and I know that the Gearlink Kawa♓saki 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 rostrum winner and despite the ultra-competitive grid this year.

"Having been in talks 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 t🗹o work with each other."

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

The Yorkshire-based rider demonstr♔ated his pace back in British Supersport with TTC Y🥃amaha finishing second in the championship for a third season which secured his jump back to BSB this year.