Keith Farmer joins Shane Byrne's team for British Superbikes

Clogher rider Keith Farmer is teaming up with triple champion Shane Byrne for next year's British Superbike Championship.

The pair will ride Kawasakis for the Paul Bird Motorsport team.

Londoner Byrne, 35, will defend the title he won this season while 24-year-old Farmer aims to follow up on his National Superstock 1000 title success.

Both will contest the 12-round series on the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10Rs which saw Byrne claim eight race wins in 2001.

Farmer had a one-off ride on the injured Stuart Easton's machine at Oulton Park in mid-season and impressed during qualifying before claiming a top 20 result on his first ever outing on a Superbike.

"I thought last year was a big year for me but it keeps getting bigger and better," said Farmer.

"I am pleased Shane is my team-mate as he helped me a lot this year.

"I cannot thank Paul and the rest of the team enough.

"All I can do to show my appreciation is to get up front with the reigning British Superbike Champion 'Shakey' Byrne."