Image: Andrew Gosling (tbgsport).

Dual Australian Superbike champion (ASBK) Josh Waters has been revealed as the sole rider in a newly-formed, dealer-operated Team Suzuki Ecstar entry to contest the talent-packed 2017 Yamaha Motor Finance ASBK series.

Announced at Phillip Island’s world launch of the 2017 Suzuki GSX-R1000R tonight, 2009 and 2012 title-winner Waters, 30, will be reunited with Suzuki Australia and technical wizard Phil Tainton for the project, equipped with Pirelli tyres.

“It all came together really late, but I’m definitely happy to be back on the grid and back with Suzuki for the 2017 season,” Waters told CycleOnline.com.au. “The new bike’s going to be really exciting. Round one might be difficult, with no real testing or anything, but we’ll give it our best shot and see how it goes!

“The team is run by Canberra Motorcycle Centre under the Team Suzuki Ecstar title and Phil will be in charge of the development. I’ll also have my brother Brodie as my mechanic, which he was at the end of last year, so I’m really happy about that. Pirellis were good at the end of last year, so I look forward to the year ahead.”

The deal has been pieced together late in the silly season by leading Suzuki dealer, Canberra Motorcycle Centre, gaining direct support from Suzuki Australia and genuine oil brand Ecstar – only new to Australia late last year – to field the brand new top-level GSX-R1000R.

It’s understood Waters will become the first person in the world to compete aboard Suzuki’s highly-anticipated superbike contender, completing a shakedown on a production variant earlier today ahead of Phillip Island’s opening round on 24-26 February. He will ride among the Australian media, including CycleOnline.com.au, again on Friday.

Waters raced internationally between 2013 and 2015 in the British Superbike Championship, coupled with a number of starring roles in the Suzuka 8 Hours, where he’s twice finished runner-up (2011 and 2014). He sat out much of 2016, aside from some Japanese appearances, the final round of the ASBK at Winton (third) and the MotoGP support races (first).

Suzuki has been absent from the ASBK in an official capacity since Wayne Maxwell captured the crown in 2013, opting out at the conclusion of that season. CycleOnline.com.au confirmed late last year that Suzuki was considering upping its involvement for 2017 as the series builds strength, ultimately leading to the formation of Team Suzuki Ecstar for this season.