Japanese star Ryo Mizuno will join Glenn Irwin in Honda’s factory Bennetts British Superbike team for 2021.

Mizuno has a wealth of experience from the All-Japan series, as well as the Suzuka Eight-Hours, aboard Fireblade machinery and the signing is part of the factory’s new Superbike Challenge Program.

“I’m really looking forward to this new challenge, signing a deal with Honda Racing UK team to ride the new CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP in the British championship,” said Mizuno.

Thanks to all my family, friends and personal sponsors. I can’t wait to get started and hope to have a lot of success in front of our fans later this year.”

The Superbike programme will see Honda Racing UK’s participation in the British Superbike Championship sit within Honda’s global racing activities from MotoGP, World Superbike and the All-Japan Championship.

“This is a very exciting time for Honda Racing UK joining forces with Honda Motor Co., Ltd and will be great to have their support in what are uncertain times for everyone and not just in the racing world,” said team boss Havier Beltran.

“Our participation in BSB will now sit within Honda’s global two-wheel racing programme, which echoes past years when we had backing from HRC. It’s a great project to be involved with and we of course have a very good track record with Japanese riders, Ryuichi Kiyonari won the title three times with us and Ryo brings a huge amount of experience and also talent with him.

“His lap times at the Suzuka Eight-Hours last year were impressive and although the British circuits are very different, I think he will enjoy them and be competitive on the Fireblade SP.”