Ian Hutchinson will compete as the third PBM Kawasaki rid🐈er at this year's MCE British Superbike curtain raiser as part of his preparations for the 2015 road racing season.

The eight-time Isle of Man TT wi🔯nner has spent the winter testing alongside PBM 𝓀Kawasaki's BSB duo Shane Byrne and Stuart Easton and also took part in the official BSB test day last week at Donington Park.

The York🍃shire rider has been granted entry for the first round of 🌜the 2015 BSB campaign at the same venue and feels it'll be an ideal opportunity to get race ready ahead of the new season.

"Racing this weekend is part of my preparation for the TT this year and throughout testing it has been about me getting bike fit ready for the year ahead," Hutchinson told Britishsuperbike.com. "I feel that I am in a lucky position as I have had help from both Shakey and Stuart whilst we have b꧋een testing."

The 35-year-old says he's been ab💃le to improve with the team while working alongside the two British Superbike riders and is targeting a clean weekend to keep his progression going.

"Working with them and the team has bought me on a lot and got my confidence back," Hutchinson added. "I was a bit cautious at the test so to be wi🉐thin two second of Shakey without a new tyre or puᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚshing hard for a lap was good.

"I just ne🦋ed to try and not get too excited because it is a really strong class all the way through the field and everyone is going to be pushin🥀g hard."