RISING road race star Dan Cooper will once again team up with Cornwall-based Centurion Racing for the three major International road races in 2013 – the Isle of Man TT, Vauxhall International North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix.

Cooper, a former Cirencester Kingshill School pupil from Stroud, followed up his four bronze replicas on his TT debut in 2011 with a sensational performance at last year's festival as he picked up three bronze and a silver replica.

Just for good measure, Dan clinched second in the Privateer's Championship and the prestigious Joe Craig Trophy, awarded to the British rider with the best performance on a British machine.

Now Cooper and Centurion will be returning to tackle all six main solo races with a Honda Fireblade for the Superbike and Senior TTs, as well as a production version for the Superstock TT, both Supersport races aboard a 675cc Triumph and a 650cc Kawasaki for the new Lightweight class.

It was aboard a 675cc Triumph in the Supersport races that he claimed a top ten finish last season – and a first coveted silver replica – having recorded a best lap of 121.674mph.

Cooper, 25, said: "I'm really looking forward to the North West 200, TT and Ulster Grand Prix as these are my main priorities for this year so I just can't wait to get started.

“The team are pushing the boat out for me this year and we are entering six races at the TT which means it's going to be a busy fortnight. They are building me a Superbike so that will be the first time I've raced round there on slicks and hopefully we can lap in excess of 125mph on that.

“I'm hoping to improve on my top ten in the Supersport race also but the faster you go, the harder it is to find that little extra time. I'm hoping I can get a couple of good results at the North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix also, as I led a race at Dundrod last year, and then later in the year I'll be teaming up with Guy Martin at the Manx Grand Prix."