Peter Hickman and Norton CEO Stuart Garner.

The Smiths Racing rider will compete in the Lightweight race on the Norton 650 Superlight machine for the second year.

Norton CEO Stuart Garner confirmed the news on social media on Wednesday morning, saying:

“Pleasure to continue working with Peter Hickman and Norton 650 Superlight.

“We’ve partnered with Smiths Racing for the 2020 Lightweight TT. They’re the best at what they do and leaves us to focus on road bike production in a busy 2020.”

The new Norton Superlight made its road racing debut this year at the Norton West 200, where John McGuinness rode the machine.

McGuinness, Hickman and Davey Todd formed a three-man Norton team for the Lightweight TT, when Hickman was the only finisher, sealing a solid eighth place.

Hickman and the Smiths Racing team will be BMW Motorrad’s official international road racing representatives in 2020, taking over the status from Northern Ireland’s TAS Racing team.

The British Superbike contender had a fantastic season this year, taking victory on the new S1000RR in the Superstock race at the North West 200 and claiming a hat-trick at the TT, securing wins in the Superbike, Superstock and Supersport classes.

Hickman also set a new record of seven wins from seven starts at the Ulster Grand Prix and established a road racing world lap record of 136.415mph at Dundrod.