Alex Lowes has become Kawasaki's first signing fo𝓀r the 2021𝓡 World Superbike championship, after agreeing a one-year extension with the team he joined this season.

The former Suzuki and Yamaha rider took his first race win on the ZX-10RR during the only rou🦄🎉nd held so far this year, at Phillip Island in Australia.

As well as WorldSBK the Englishman, 29, is due to partner team-mate and reigning world champion Jonathan Rea at this year's Suzuka 8 Hours, an event Lowes has won on three occas♑ions with Yamaha.

“It is great to be with Kawasaki for 2021," said Lowes. "Ever since I joined the team I have really felt like it was an opportunity to for me to make another step forward ꧂with my riding.

"Being team-mates with Johnny I fe꧟el can learn so much from him and the atmosphere in the team is great.

"The current situation in the world🀅 is not ideal for anyone but Kawasaki really makes me feel positive and focused on the fu🐼ture. It has been fantastic to get something sorted for 2021 before going into the rest of the races this year.

"This little bit of ‘down-time’ has made us all appreciate how amazing our job is. Our fire was already burning hot but thi🌳s recent period has certainly brought up the level of appreciation about what we do.

"I cannot wait to get back up there with Team 22 this season, working wit💎h Marcel and the guys, and looking forward to even bigger ꧟things as we go into next year.”

Team Manager, Guim Roda, added: “The job Alex has done until now, his motivation for the KRT project and the serious way he trains to be the fittest💫 rider he can be have been such strong arguments t꧂o renew with him. It also gives him the time and reassurance to show his full potential on the ZX-10RR.

"We find him a good combination with Rea in terms of mutual respect, and the competition between the riders will help lif𝕴t up the team to the maximum.

"Fixing an agreement with Alex for 2021 so earl๊y in the season will give him a calmness to fully concentrate on his racing and make the best results possible this year.”

Lowes leads the 2020 standings by twelve points from Ducati's Scott Redding after the opening three races at Phillip Island. Rea ♌sits fourth in the world championship (-19 poཧints).