TOMMY Bridewell will race for the Milwaukee Yamaha team in the 2014 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship season, it was announced today.

The Etchilhampton rider, 25, joins Australian Josh Brookes in the 2011 title-winning team, with both expected to challenge for the title.

Bridewell returns to the team following his striking performances in the final three rounds of the 2013 season when he scored an impressive three podium finishes from his first four races onboard the Milwaukee Yamaha.

It follows an up and down 2013 campaign in which he featured for three different teams, joining Milwaukee for the final Showdown section of the championship, having joined the Halsall Racing Kawasaki team earlier this summer after quitting the Bathams Honda line-up.

Bridewell said: “I am really looking forward to next season already and this is a great opportunity for me and one that I have worked so hard for many years to try and achieve.

"I am in a fortunate position where I have three rounds under my belt already so I intend on trying to use those to my advantage.

"I have a great bond with the crew and this year I upped my game and now I want to keep that momentum going into 2014.

"We know that the Milwaukee Yamaha package is capable of winning races so that is what we want to concentrate on from the start.

"It is great for me to be able to work with Josh too because I think we are quite similar and I think we can push each other.

"I ticked off one of my ambitions this year with a double podium finish, now I am ready to fight for wins.”

Brookes will be in his his sixth season in the championship, having been runner-up twice and will race a Yamaha for the first time in his career.

Team owner Shaun Muir added: “All of us involved at Milwaukee Yamaha are excited at the prospect of Tommy and Josh battling for race wins from the very first race.

"I have obviously watched Josh for several seasons and admired his guile, determination and aggression. I am also very pleased that we can welcome Tommy back into the team because his attitude and performances during the final rounds of last season have done nothing but impress me, the team and our sponsors.

"I believe we will see him mature in a genuine championship contender from the very start of the season.

"I can see these guys working well off the track and equally doing battle on it. I am sure the combination of Josh and Tommy puts us in a very strong position to win back the title in 2014.”

MORE ON THIS STORY IN THURSDAY'S GAZETTE & HERALD