Plater, Kirkham confirmed at Sendo.

It has been announced that Steve Plater and John Kirkham will join the Sendo team aboard Kawasaki ZX-10s in the forthcoming British Superbike Championship.

The Dienzo Performance team is based in Leeds and last year ran a one man team with Australian rider Dean Thomas, who completed the 2004 season in seventh place on a Ducati.

33-year-old Plater is now reportedly fully fit from the injuries that plagued him throughout 2004, and is looking forward to the new venture.

"I have ridden a Kawasaki in the past with much success and the ZX-10 is a proven race winner," commented Steve. "I will be going all out for race wins and hope to run in the top five throughout the season.

"After last year when I had a dreadful time of it, I am hungry for wins and to get my confidence back. Consistency is the key to winning the championship, I have a good bike and fantastic team set-up backing me but ultimately it is down to me to bring the results home."

Plater will be joined by Kirkham, who powered his Suzuki to second place in the British Superbike Cup championship last season.

The new look team will be launched in Cannes on February 13, which will be the first opportunity to see the new bike and team colours of black, red and chrome.