James Stewart has officially signed for Yoshimura Suzuki alongside Brett Metcalfe.

Yoshimura Suzuki Racing has officially confirmed that James Stewart will join South Australian Brett Metcalfe in the factory Suzuki team after inking a multi-year deal.

Stewart will compete in both AMA Pro Motocross and Supercross aboard the Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450, beginning with the first round of the 2012 AMA Pro Motocross Championship in Sacramento, California on 19 May.

“I’m really looking forward to joining the team,” Stewart said. “It’s been a pleasure to get to test with these guys and meet the team. I’m very excited, I love the bike and ever since I rode it from day one I knew it was a great opportunity for me to come out and showcase my talent.

“With Mike Webb as the team manager and Don Sakakura the president of Yoshimura Racing, it’s been great what they’ve been doing. The whole team is phenomenal. We’re all excited to get the ball rolling and see what we can do over the next few years.

“I just want to thank everyone at Yoshimura and American Suzuki for giving me this opportunity.”

Sakakura welcomed Stewart to the team, which will expand from one to two riders. Stewart will be joining Australian Brett Metcalfe on the factory Suzuki squad.

“James is a great addition to our team,” said Sakakura. “He is an amazing rider and gifted athlete and we feel very fortunate to have him join Yoshimura Suzuki. We will do everything possible to help ensure his and the team’s success.

Stewart has been right at home on the RM-Z450 already. He'll debut in the outdoors.

“Our company has been built on racing and winning championships and we intend to keep that tradition alive with James and his incredible skill on a motorcycle.”

Webb, as well as long-time Team Suzuki mechanic, Lee McCollum and the rest of the Yoshimura Suzuki squad, will support Stewart in his run for the 2012 AMA Motocross Championship and beyond.

“We’re extremely pleased with the announcement of James joining the Yoshimura Suzuki team,” Webb said. “We all look forward to working with James and a rider of his caliber. We feel very confident we can provide him with the equipment that he needs to ride to his capability.

“We’re working hard right now, though we don’t have a lot of time, but we’re very focused on getting ready for Hangtown and we’re definitely looking forward to the opener.”

Just yesterday Stewart announced with JGRMX that the pair have parted ways following one AMA Supercross season together.