Bryne returns for 2014 with Bird

Shane Byrne will return to the MCE British Superbike Championship in 2014 regardless of how the next two rounds pan out, after signing a deal that will see him remain with his PBM team and Kawasaki ZX-10R.

Byrne will ride in a one-bike team for Paul Bird, with Kawasaki upping their support to make the Cumbrian team a full factory supported team, working with the factory World Superbike team.

Speaking to MCN, team boss Bird confirmed that the deal was only signed yesterday (Friday) at silverstone after a high-level meeting with BSB and Kawasaki bosses.

“We’ll be back next year, but only because it’s going to be with Shakey – if it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be doing it. I’m only planning on running a one rider team, as we want to move some staff over to the MotoGP team.”

The team will enjoy factory backing for the first time since 2011, when Bird managed the official Kawasaki factory WSB team until that support was passed to a Spanish team instead.

Bird also confirmed that he is in talks with a number of sponsors, including the potential return of a former major sponsor to the championship, as he reaches the end of his deal with Rapid Solicitors.