Reigning British Superbike champion Alex Lowes has officially been confirmed as p🐈art of Voltcom Crescent Suzuki's all-new rider line-up for the 2014 World Superbike season.

The 23-year-old - twin brother of World Supersport champion Sam, who is switching to Moto2 - secured the BSB crown in 201🌠3 on Honda machinery after prevailing in a season-long battle with PBM Kawasaki's Shane Byrne.

Though he was initially tipped to make the step into MotoGP next season with PBM, Lowes will instead become the first BSB champion since Leon Camier to make a♑ direct step to World Superbikes, where he will join 2013 runner-up Eugene Laverty.

Having already impressed with Voltcom Crescent Suzuki during post-season testing in Spain, Lowes is excited about the prospect of switching to the international stage iꦦn 2014.

"This is just mega for me!" said Lowes, who participated in a handful of WSBK races in ಌ2011 with Castrol Honda. "I am coming to the Voltcom Crescent Suzuki team off a great year and making a step up to the World Championship, it's just a fantastic opportunity and I can't wait to get started properly. I did a couple of shake-down tests to get to know my crew and the bike and I want to thank Honda for letting me do that, as it gave me an early insight into what WSB is like.

"The GSX-R felt great straight away, I think I will enjoy racing this bike a lot. I am really looking forward to the ne🐈w season and I will try to ꦗlearn as much as I can from Eugene and then try to beat him!

"I know this will be a learning year for me, but I am eagerly anticipating it. I also want to say thanks to Suzuki and Paul for giving me th🧜is opportunity, now it's ti💞me to repay their trust."

this year, I can not wait for the new challenge #2014 -- Alex Lowes (@alexlowes22)