Andrew Irwin 'can't wait to get started' after signing for TAS Racing to ride SYNETIQ BMW in 2021 British Superbike Championship

Friday’s announcement comes after it was revealed earlier in the week that Irwin had decided to leave the Honda Racing team.

The 26-year-old, who won three BSB races this year and finished sixth in the final standings, said: “TAS has a lot of racing history and is a team I’ve always looked up to, so there’s lots of motivation to be competing at the sharp end of British Superbike on the SYNETIQ BMW next season.

“I’ve raced against the BMW this past few years and have seen first-hand the potential of the package. I can’t wait to get started now on the all-new M 1000 RR.

“I’m still young in terms of my Superbike career and not yet quite the finished article, but I’m hungry to learn and keep improving and together with the SYNETIQ BMW team, I believe we can do that.”

Team principal Philip Neill said he believed the Ulster rider was a future BSB champion in the making.

“To be honest we are very excited at the opportunity to work with Andrew and having watched his progress this past few years, he is clearly a potential future champion,” said Neill.

“Personally, I admire Andrew’s determination on track and his professional attitude off it, so this will be a perfect fit for SYNETIQ BMW. Andrew’s desire to join us at TAS Racing was extremely motivating and this made the decision very easy when the opportunity became available.

“The new 2021 BMW M 1000 RR will be a massive asset to our championship challenge in BSB and it was clear from the first conversation with Andrew, his motivation to represent BMW Motorrad on this new machine was extremely high. There is already a buzz in the air at SYNETIQ BMW. We can’t wait to get started.”

Bradley Ray and Taylor Mackenzie rode for the team this season but TAS will field an all-new line-up in 2021, with Danny Buchan among the names touted as Irwin’s team-mate.