EVESHAM motorcycle ace Mike Tustin says he cannot wait for the 2017 Ducati TriOptions Cup to start.
The Vale rider and his TeamMTR outfit have moved up to the TriOptions Cup having competed in the ThundersportGB Championship in 2016.
Tustin explained: “After our last race meeting in September, we’ve been busy over the winter and we are finally in a position to announce our 2017 plans.
“We are moving up into the Ducati TriOptions Cup, riding a brand new Ducati 959 Panigale. The Ducati TriOptions Cup is a one-make championship, running alongside the British Superbike Chanpionship (BSB), where every rider is on the same motorcycle, with limited tyre choices and bike upgrades.
“I have managed to keep many local sponsors, while also gaining the support of the Blade Motorcycle Group to help run our team at this high level of racing.”
The race season starts at Donington Park (March 31-April 2) and runs until October, racing at many of the top UK tracks including Silverstone, Brands Hatch, Oulton Park and one round at Assen in the Netherlands.
Tustin added: “Our extensive testing programme starts in March and hopefully this will give us a great platform to develop our new bike and be as competitive as possible from the start.
“I’m extremely excited to have been given the opportunity to compete at this level of racing and I’m looking forward to learning a lot from more experienced riders in this class.
“I’m also extremely grateful to have received the backing of many local businesses to help fund our 2017 season. To know all my friends, family and sponsors are all behind me during this project will certainly spur me on to try and achieve our goals for the upcoming season.”
All races are shown live on British Eurosport and then later on a highlights show on ITV4.