Official: Alex Lowes to Crescent Suzuki

Reigning British Superbike champion Alex Lowes has officially been confirmed as part of Voltcom Crescent Suzuki's all-new rider line-up for the 2014 World Superbike season.

The 23-year-old - twin brother of World Supersport champion Sam, who is switching to Moto2 - secured the BSB crown in 2013 on Honda machinery after prevailing in a season-long battle with PBM Kawasaki's Shane Byrne.

Though he was initially tipped to make the step into MotoGP next season with PBM, Lowes will instead become the first BSB champion since Leon Camier to make a direct step to World Superbikes, where he will join 2013 runner-up Eugene Laverty.

Having already impressed with Voltcom Crescent Suzuki during post-season testing in Spain, Lowes is excited about the prospect of switching to the international stage in 2014.

"This is just mega for me!" said Lowes, who participated in a handful of WSBK races in 2011 with Castrol Honda. "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. I also want to say thanks to Suzuki and Paul for giving me this opportunity, now it's time to repay their trust."

With the opening round in Australia six weeks away, Lowes's official signing swells the provisional 2014 WSBK grid to 17 riders, with several more EVO-specification contenders expected to be announced in the coming weeks.