Voltcom Crescent Suzuki has announced that it has secured the signature of 2013 British Superbike Champion Alex Lowes to ride the Suzuki GSX-R1000 in this year’s eni FIM Superbike World Championship.

The 23-year-old Englishman had his first taste of a full-blown Suzuki World Superbike when he took part in two pre-season tests at Jerez in Spain, now confirmed for the 2014 season.

Lowes looked very much at home and fully up-to-speed in his two tests as he got to grips with the Yoshimura-powered Suzuki GSX-R. He worked very closely with his new crew-chief Lez Pearson, spent valuable time with new teammate Eugene Laverty.

“This is just mega for me!” Lowes said. “I am coming to the Voltcom Crescent Suzuki team off a great year and making a step up to the world championship, it’s just a fantastic opportunity and I can’t wait to get started properly.

“I did a couple of shake-down tests to get to know my crew and the bike and I want to thank Honda for letting me do that, as it gave me an early insight into what WSB is like. The GSX-R felt great straight away – I think I will enjoy racing this bike a lot.

“I am really looking forward to the new season and I will try to learn as much as I can from Eugene and then try to beat him! I know this will be a learning year for me, but I am eagerly anticipating it.”

The first competitive action for Lowes and Laverty will be at the inaugural event of 2014, to be held at Phillip Island on 21-23 February.