Andrews, Da Costa to MSS Kawasaki.

MSS Colchester Kawasaki has revealed Simon Andrews and Julien Da Costa will form their rider line-up for the British Superbike Championship next season.

Andrews and Da Costa come to the team, which retains its status as Kawasaki's factory representative in BSB, looking to revive some good fortune for the distinctive brand, which struggled in 2008 to match the pace of its rivals.

With the combination of Billy McConnell and Stuart Easton, who missed part of the season through injury, failing to get Kawasaki onto the podium this season, the team have high hopes for their all-new rider line-up.

For Andrews, the move comes after being linked with several teams since the end of the season, including Hydrex Honda and Lloyds Jentin Yamaha, the team with which he managed 21 top ten finishes in 2008 on the way to eighth in the final standings.

Da Costa, meanwhile, will be making a return to the team having raced for Kawasaki back in 2005 before embarking on three seasons in the FIM Endurance Championship with Suzuki.

In addition, the team will run under a revised banner for the next two seasons following a deal between Nick Morgan's MSS Racing and Colchester Kawasaki, run by former racer Ian Stewart.

"We've spent this year and last laying the groundwork for this deal on track, in the paddock environment and via our successful interaction with race fans and the UK Kawasaki dealer network," Morgan said. "We now have the infrastructure in place to make a concerted and competitive bid for Superbike success with Kawasaki Motors UK as a key racing partner."

Despite failing to get on terms with their rivals in 2008, Kawasaki's sales manager Michael Johnstone is confident MSS Colchester's formidable rider line-up and increased stability will see them scale the grid in 2009.

"Our first step with MSS was with a single rider team in 2007 expanding into a two rider effort for the current season. Nick and Ian (Stewart) have now created a strong structure which bodes well for the future.

"Our confidence in their plans and the rider line up is illustrated by the fact that we have agreed a multi-year deal. This gives the team the necessary stability to increase their presence and impact on the ultra competitive British Superbike Championship."

Andrews and Da Costa bring the total number of confirmed BSB signings up to 13.