Sam Lowes has signed a new, three-year deal with Yakhnich Motorsport to race a Yamaha YZF-R6 in the 2013 FIM Supersport World Championship and eventually move up to the Superbike World Championship, according a posting on the official website of the FIM Superbike World Championship. Lowes, a 22-year-old English rider, finished third in the 2012 FIM Supersport World Championship on a Bogdanka PTR Honda CBR600RR. He won two races, ran the fastest lap in three races, finished on the podium six times and earned four pole positions. Lowes will join Russian rider Vladimir Leonov at Yakhnich Motorsport, which will have official support from Yamaha Motor Europe, according to the posting. “For me is the right decision and best option for me to fight for world title next season,” Lowes posted to his Twitter feed Friday. Lowes will begin testing with his new team next week at Jerez. More, from a press release issued by Yakhnich Motorsport and distributed by Yamaha Racing: 22yrs old Sam Lowes and Yakhnich Motorsport team have signed a three years contract with the aim to win the World Supersport Championship and then move on to the World Superbike class. The English rider, third in the 2012 World Supersport Championship, will ride next year on the Yakhnich Motorsport Yamaha R6 and will be teammate of 25 yrs old Russian rider Vladimir Leonov, who finished two times on the podium in 2012. The team will receive official support of Yamaha Motor Europe but will carry out its own technical development. With these two strong riders, Yakhnich Motorsport is confident to be one of the favorite teams for the 2013 World Supersport Championship title. Alexander Yakhnich “I’m happy to announce that Yakhnich Motorsport takes another step in its long term program for the World Supersport class and in the future – for the Superbike class. As was our plan, the 2013 team is even stronger than last year, adding another top rider with Sam Lowes. We are confident to obtain top results in next year’s World Supersport Championship. Our plan for the future is to bring both riders to the top level even in the World Superbike Championship. That’s why we signed a long term contract with both of them”. Sam Lowes “I’m very happy to be joining the Yakhnich Motorsport Team. They have given me a fantastic opportunity to compete and fight for the World title in 2013. I’ve seen how professionally they work and how their performances increased during the 2012 season and that’s why I think I’m now in the right place at the right moment to be able to win next year’s championship. I look forward to riding the Yamaha R6, a very strong bike, and starting my work with the Yakhnich team very soon. I’m very exited. Thanks to the whole team for their belief in me and support and all the fans behind me! Roll on 2013!”