Michael Laverty is handed Relentless Suzuki BSB ride

Michael Laverty is a previous British Supersport champion

Michael Laverty will ride alongside Alastair Seeley in an all-Northern Ireland Relentless Suzuki line-up in this year's British Superbike series.

The pairing of Laverty and Seeley means that Lisburn man Ian Lowry appears to have lost his British Superbike ride for the Northern Ireland-based team.

Laverty won the British Supersport crown three years ago.

Seeley romped to last season's British Superstock title with nine consecutive race victories.

This year's British Superbike series will have factory-backed riders with Honda, Kawasaki and Yamaha teams.

However, Laverty, back on the domestic scene full-time after sorties into American Superbikes and World Supersport last term, is ready to take on all-comers.

"I really think we can have a great season," said the 28-year-old Laverty whose rivals will include older brother John who rides for Buildbase Kawasaki.

"I know that the team have made some real steps forward over last year.

"I come back to familiar territory, knowing the tracks and the whole of the TAS team which has stepped up a notch from when I last raced it in BSB in 2008," added Laverty.

Seeley is equally enthusiastic, having experienced two outings in the top-flight at the end of last term following on from his Superstock glory with the team.

"It is a great opportunity for me to move up to superbike," said Seeley.

"The team have a testing programme in place and it looks like that will kick-off in March."