French wunderkind Loris Baz has re-signed with the factory Kawasaki team and will partner Tom Sykes for the 2013 World Superbike season.

The youngster was drafted in as a stand-in for Joan Lascorz mid-season and has already notched up a win despite not yet turning 20.

“I am really happy, as you can imagine! Since I first got on the official Kawasaki Racing Team bike I have done everything I could to stay for the future. I think it is one of the best bikes and best teams so I did not want to go anywhere else," said Baz.

"To stay in this team was the best for me. We have a really good base and I want to be strong for next year. I have to thank Guim Roda, my team manager, for taking me in the first place – a young rider on an official bike – and I also have to thank Kawasaki, who also believed in me.

"After the end of last year, when I had nothing, they asked me to ride in Superstock. I saw it as a new challenge and a new beginning. So I am really happy to ride for Kawasaki again and I cannot wait for next year.”