Image: Keith Muir.

Experienced Queenslander Robbie Bugden will make a surprise return to fulltime national level road racing in 2016 after signing with the high profile privateer SA Kawasaki BCperformance team.

SA Kawasaki BCperformance has one of the largest presences in the Australasian Superbike Championship and will remain in the series next year, gaining increased support from Kawasaki Motors Australia.

“We’re really excited to be involved with the SA Kawasaki BCperformance team for the 2016 season,” Kawasaki’s Rob Walker explained. “The combination of the signing of exciting new riders, the introduction of the 2016 Ninja ZX-10R and the team’s professionalism, we think it’s a winning formula and we wanted to support their efforts.”

Five-time New Zealand Superbike Champion Bugden will ride the brand new 2016 model ZX-10R alongside returning team regular Ben Burke, while Kyle Buckley and Ryan Masri will contest Supersport riding the ZX-6R. The team will also field Evan Byles in Formula Oz.

“I couldn’t be happier to have an opportunity to be able to race the brand new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R with Kelvin [Reilly] and the SA Kawasaki BCperformance team,” Bugden explained. “Kelvin and his team have shown they run a professional and very competitive team, now to be able to join the team along with the Ninja ZX-10R, I think together we’ll be a real force in the Australasian Superbike Championship. It sure is exciting times ahead and I can’t wait.”

Team manager Kelvin Reilly said: “I’m excited with today’s announcements, having a rider of Robbie’s experience and speed complimenting Ben Burke’s ability on the Superbike, as well as the new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R gives us an enormous boost for the 2016 season.

“I’d like to thank Kawasaki Motors Australia and SA Motorcycles for their increased support and have already got preparations underway with the impressive new Ninja ZX-10R. I’m also happy to keep Kyle Buckley on the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R and pleased to welcome Ryan Masri on board. I’d like to thank all of our sponsors and look forward to announcing some more exciting developments for the 2016 season.”

Bugden has been a longtime force in Australian road racing prior to this season, which he sat out altogether after losing his factory seat at Yamaha Racing Team at the close of last year.