SWINDON rider Charlie Nesbitt is preparing for another step up in his career as he sets out on his first full season in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship this weekend.

The 22-year-old has secured a full-time Bennetts BSB ride after an impressive debut towards the end of last season, when he was initially promoted by Hawk Racing to cover for injured team mate Christian Iddon.

He will now spend 2023 on board the MasterMac Honda in a series that continues to attract large crowds at circuits across the UK along with a global television following.

Ahead of the first round at Silverstone this weekend, Nesbitt said: “Racing in Bennetts BSB has been an ambition of mine since I was a kid. It’s a really competitive series on the fastest track-bikes you’ll see outside of a world championship, and it’s a dream to win it at some stage.

“Obviously this is my first full season, and the first challenge is to adapt to what is a new bike for both me and the team.

“But I’ll give it my best shot, aim to learn quickly and hopefully pick up some good results as the season goes on.”

Nesbitt’s move to the top tier of domestic motorcycle racing follows a string of accolades, which include winning the British Moto3 championship at the age of 15 and the British GP2 championship in 2021.

He started out last season on Hawk’s VisionTrack Suzuki in the Pirelli National Superstock championship and turned in a number of eye-catching performances, including an outstanding victory at Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire.

Nesbitt added: “I’m really happy and excited to be riding for Hawk Racing for a second year.

“It’s a great team to be part of and their experience and support really helped me make the step up to National Superstock and then Bennetts BSB last season.

“The opportunity they have given me is like no other and I can’t wait to be able to repay them the best I can.”

Nesbitt will also have a new team mate in the shape of Merseyside’s Josh Owens, riding the Crendon Honda by Hawk Racing.

The field also features the likes of former BSB champions Leon Haslam and Josh Brookes, Spanish ex-MotoGP rider Hector Barbera, and another Swindon rookie in Max Cook.