Linden Magee will contest the 2014 New Zealand Superbike Championship. Image: Russell Colvin.

Australian Linden Magee will contest the 2014 New Zealand Superbike Championship aboard an M1 Motorsport BMW S 1000 RR.

This is the first time the 33-year old from Queensland has been invited to race outside of Australia and he’s excited for the opportunity ahead.

“I’m really looking forward to racing and working with the very competitive M1 Motorsport team,” said Magee. “I am also really looking forward to the challenge of racing on the new tracks as well.”

Magee will also compete in the three-round Suzuki Tri-Series, as will Phil and Sophie Lovett, which kicks off next month and includes Hampton downs, Manfeild and the Cemetery Circuit.

Fellow Queenslander Luke Burgess, who won last year’s New Zealand 250 Production Championship, will line up again to try and make it two in a row. Burgess will also compete in the NZ Supersport championship on his Mackay Kawasaki ZX-6R.

“It’s going to be awesome to make the trip across the pond again,” said Burgess. “Hopefully I can bring home a few more titles as well. Without the support from JP piping, Kawasaki Motor Finance and Greaeme Billington there is no way I would be getting back over there.”

Five-time NZ Superbike Champion and ASBK number three Robbie Bugden is at this stage unlikely to be defending his title.

The opening round of the New Zealand Superbike championship will kick off at Ruapuna Park on 4-5 January, which includes the New Zealand Grand Prix.