MWR Kawasaki has today confirmed that South African James Egan will ride one of the team's Kawasaki Ninja ZX10-Rs in the 2013 Metzeler National Superstock 1000 Championship.

James, from the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa, has previously ridden in the Superbike class in his native country and is looking forward to getting back on 1000cc machinery after a successful year in the Triumph Triple Challenge, which saw him take the title in the Premier class and finish runner-up overall in the Elite class.

James Egan #81: "It's great to have found a dynamic person in Mark Webster who is driven to bring his team up through the ranks with his eye on world success in the future. His values and goals are very similar to my own, which is exciting for both myself and Team MWR as we start this season together. I'm glad Mark has taken me on with the confidence he has and I am itching to get back over to the UK and turn out some laps on our new ZX10-R.

"I'm waiting with great anticipation to compete in the ultra-competitive Metzeler National Superstock 1000 Championship against some of the fastest riders in the UK and from abroad on these 200bhp race machines. As with any class at BSB level, it's going to be very tough, with entries of over sixty riders at some meetings, but we're going to be working flat out at getting the best results we can. Thanks to Mark, my Mom and Dad and of course everyone behind us both last year and again this season. We're going to give it our all once again in our new championship."

Mark Webster, Team Owner: "It's great news for the team and I to have James confirmed to run for us in the Superstock 1000 class this year. He is well used to being a front runner in whatever class he has previously ridden in and I can see no reason why he cannot continue this form aboard the Kawasaki ZX10-R. We are all looking forward to working with James this year, as he has a very clear cut aim in what he wants to achieve and goes about his racing in the correct manner. It's full steam ahead with the new bikes arriving around mid February, we have a Superstock 600 seat to be finalised and still a possible team mate to be found for James in the 1000 class, the next few weeks will be full on at MWR."

The opening round of the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 Championship takes place at Brands Hatch in Kent over the weekend of 5/7 April.