<B>Official: Watanabe to BSB.</B>

The 31-year-old won the Japanese title with Yoshimura Suzuki, having first taken the crown in 2002, and is acknowledged as one of the best riders in Japan. He has been placed in BSB by Suzuki with a clear aim of winning the championship.

Atsushi understands virtually no English but is learning fast. He said: "I know BSB is ultra competitive championship that requires high potential for riders and I have been keen on challenging there for long time to improve my riding skill.

"I am also exciting to ride in UK circuit of which course lay-out should be completely different from those in Japan circuits. I believe this should be a great honour for my racing career. Those have motivated me much to do so."

And the Black-eyed sushi fan is already setting his sights high. "Of course, if you were a rider, just one goal is to be a champion in BSB," he said. "For future, I hope to have a chance to ride at World Superbike or MotoGP."

Atsushi has been speaking to former Suzuki BSB racer and current WSBK star Yukio Kagayama, who has been briefing him on what to expect - including the unique circuits and specifically Cadwell Park.

Excited at the prospect, Atsushi added that Britain holds a special place in his heart: "I am so happy to get a chance to ride in UK where Barry Sheene, the legend and my hero, were from."

"Atsushi Watanabe is one of the best kept secrets in Japan," claimed new Rizla Suzuki team manager Jack Valentine. "Since 2002 he has won two and finished runner up twice in the Japanese Superbike Championship, marking him as one of the best.

"He is also a real-life Suzuki Factory rider, with all the benefits in communication with the Japanese racing arm that will bring. The placement of Atsushi in BSB shows just how important the Championship is to Suzuki and its intentions that it wants to reclaim the title it won in 2004.

"Already Atsushi is developing his character and I think the British public will take to him very easily. He is very respectful, honourable and professional... but at the same time he can't wait to sample the English way of life and start to enjoy himself here, Yuki has told him a lot of good things about our way of life. It's going to be fun helping him to learn the language and I am sure he will teach us some choice phrases in Japanese as well."

Watanabe will meet the British race fans at the International Motorcycle Show on 22nd November, before returning to Japan on 26th November. He will also be testing the current Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 in November.

Rizla Suzuki is still to announce who will ride alongside Watanabe, with former riders Cal Crutchlow and Chris Walker having both left the team.