Reigning MCE British Superbike champion, Shane Byrne will honour his two-year contract deal with PBM and will remain with his Be Wiser Ducati team for 2018. He is also joined by team-mate Glenn Irwin who will also stay in the Paul Bird garage for another season.

The Sittingbourne-based Londoner will remain with the Penrith-based team for an unprecedented sixth season whilst for Ulsterman, Irwin he has signed a deal that will mean this will be his third year with the team.

Both riders will continue aboard the factory-backed Ducati Panigale R machines with backing from Be Wiser Insurance as title sponsors, along with the same infrastructure around both sides of the garage.

“We offered a two-year deal to Shakey and this is our commitment to honouring that as he continues to be the class act in BSB. Glenn has also shown what a talent he is and despite his injuries, he’s had a great season for us,” said team owner, Paul Bird

“We wanted to be the first team to commit to the series for 2018 and continue with the great team we have. We can now concentrate all our efforts on doing our best to win the 2017 British Superbike championship.”