Josh Waters has been replaced at Milwaukee Yamaha by Tommy Bridewell. Credit: Impact Images/Milwaukee Yamaha.

British Superbike Championship (BSB) rookie Josh Waters has been removed from the roster at Shaun Muir’s Milkwaukee Yamaha squad, replaced with immediate effect by Tommy Bridewell.

Aussie Waters’ sidelining is part of a dramatic shakeup within the BSB ranks that has seen a number of team changes in the past 48 hours.

The move started when Bridewell severed ties with his Halsall Kawasaki team. Within a short space of time, Muir’s operation confirmed the signing and the subsequent replacement of Waters.

“We have reached a critical time in the season now and every point will count towards the championship,” said Muir.

“James obviously has his position inside the top six and for us the second rider in the team at this stage needs to be acting as a wingman and upsetting the results for the other riders in the Showdown.”

It is an unfortunate turn of events for reigning and two-time ASBK champion Waters who has begun to show strong form in the second half of the season after a tough introduction to the series.

“It has been a difficult season for Josh and despite the best efforts, the results haven’t been forthcoming and we cannot afford to be losing valuable points now,” continued Muir.

“We have mutually agreed that we need to change the line up for this weekend and with Tommy becoming available this is the ideal opportunity for him to play a huge part in the outcome of the championship and utilise our second bike to its full potential.”

Waters’ immediate future within the BSB is unclear, though it is certain he will not line up at this weekend’s Assen TT event, despite the team including him in its regular round news release.

The development is the second major move within the BSB ranks this week after Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki announced it had cut ties with Keith Farmer in favour of Japanese rider Noriyuki Haga.