With thoughts already turning to the 2018 season, Kawasaki Puccetti Racing have announced Hikari Okubo will join their FIM Supersport World Championship squad, alongside Kenan Sofuoglu.

Currently riding for CIA Landlord Insurance Honda in the series, 24 year old Okubo has spent two years in the championship with some solid points scoring finishes to his name. Coming from the All Japan Road Racing Championships, Okubo entered the Asia Dream Cup in 2012 before making his debut on the world stage. With a big challenge ahead of him in 2018 – having never ridden a Kawasaki ZX-6R before - he is keen to get started.

"I am really happy to be able to join the Kawasaki Puccetti Racing team next season,” begins Okubo. “My dream for the future is to become Japan’s first World Supersport champion! My goal is to win, and I know that this means I need to grow as a rider and become more competitive. I've never competed with a Kawasaki bike, but I'm sure I will learn soon and that I can do have a strong season. "

Team manager, Manuel Puccetti added: "We are very pleased to be able to announce the final part of our Supersport team for next season. Hikari is a rider who has proven to have great potential on several occasions this year, and his arrival - after confirming that he still has Kenan Sofuoglu with us - will surely strengthen our team in 2018. We will provide him with our best support and experience to highlight all his talent."

The World Supersport Championship heads to Qatar next weekend for the Acerbis Qatar Round, at Losail International Circuit, and you can follow all the stunning action with the WorldSBK VideoPass.