Shane Byrne has confirmed he will compete in the British Superbike Championship next year.

The Sittingbourne rider, who lost his title to Alex Lowes on the final day of last season, has agreed a new deal with Paul Bird’s Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki team.

Byrne said: “I’ve known what I wanted to do for a long, long time and I’m in a fortunate position where my boss, Paul Bird, simply said: ‘I want you to stay riding for me.’”

The 2014 season starts at Brands Hatch in April, with Byrne chasing his fourth title.