Three-time MCE British Superbike Champion Ryuichi Kiyonari has joined James Westmoreland in the Buildbase BMW team for 2014.

The Japanese star, who struggled in 2013, has made a shock move away from Honda where he has raced for his entire career, into the Mallory Park-based team. He ended last season with a shoulder injury after falling off a motocrosser in training.

"It is always a difficult situation to move teams but I am very excited about joining Buildbase BMW. I have been with Honda for a long time in my career so now this is a new and big challenge for me. I have never ridden a BMW before so it is all new but I know that the team and bike is very good and can get podiums. I am looking forward to testing now so that I can start to adapt to the BMW and be ready for the season," said Kiyo.