Manxman Conor Cummins will partner Guy Martin in the road racing arm of the Tyco Suzuki team this year, taking in all the major international road events and the first three Metzeler National Superstock rounds, starting at Brands Hatch in April.

Cummins' deal puts him firmly at the forefront of road racing and will raise his profile to the next level - especially having Martin alongside him. The quiet Ramsey rider is still recovering from his horrendous crash at the Verandah in 2010 but made a return to competition in 2011.

He has recorded the Mountain Course’s fastest standing start lap -131.511 mph - which he achieved in the 2010 Superbike race and is the only Manxman to record a lap of 130mph. He is also a former winner of the Ulster Grand Prix and was the world’s fastest road racer in 2009 with a lap of 133.284, which he clocked at the same meeting.

"This is the ride I’ve been wanting for three or four years. I’m thrilled to have been given the chance to now ride for a factory-supported team in Tyco Suzuki and to be working with the boys at TAS Racing. I’ve been training hard with gym sessions and out on the pushbike and mountain bike over the winter, so I’m relishing the thought of getting aboard the team’s GSX-R1000 Superbike in testing. I’d say I’m not far off being as fit as I ever was and having been over to the workshop to meet the boys in Northern Ireland and have a look at my bikes – April can’t come quick enough to get racing," said Cummins.