Image: Keith Muir.

The Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) has been further bolstered ahead of the 2017 season, with Australasian Supersport number two Mitch Levy announcing he will contest the ASBK Superbike category.

Levy, 22, will ride a Yamaha Racing Development (YRD)-supported YZF-R1 in the premier class with backing from ATR – All Types of Rubbish and Landbridge Transport, coming off of a strong 2016 season.

“I am really pleased to announce that I will be continuing my association with Yamaha YRD for the 2017 season, competing in the Superbike class in the Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) on-board the mighty YZF-R1,” Levy confirmed. “After a successful year on the Yamaha R6, the challenge is now to turn our effort to becoming a competitive team within the premier Superbike class.

“We are also pleased to continue our relationship with ATR – All Types of Rubbish and Sam Costanzo of Landbridge Transport, who have both been instrumental in our development and success in 2016. We are looking forward to the challenge of competing against the best teams in Australia and developing our YZF-R1 into a competitive force throughout the year.”

Although he focused on the Australasian championship last year, Levy made a one-off appearance in Sydney and claimed his first-career ASBK Supersport overall via 1-4 results. A wildcard in Phillip Island’s World Supersport opener also results in a point for 15th position.