Steve Mercer faces an exciting 2012 after signing up for the Millsport Racing Ducati team.

The 29-year-old Maidstone rider will be returning to the Isle of Man TT circuit next year and will compete in the International Road Race season.

Mercer impressed during the 2011 TT campaign where he finished 12th in the Superbike event and 16th in the Superstock race.

He will be competing in the early rounds of the British Superstock Championship next year.

Mercer (pictured) said: "I’m looking forward to riding the new Ducati 1199 Panigale for Millsport Racing next year and it will be a serious machine on both roads and circuits – 2012 can’t come soon enough."

Paul Phillips, TT and Motorsport development manager, said: "Millsport Racing is an excellent team and they are a great fit with Steve Mercer who is one of the most exciting new riders to compete on the Mountain Course in recent years."

This year on the Mountain Course, Mercer clocked race times over the 120mph average for the six and four-lap races. His fastest recorded TT lap was at 124.658mph in the Superbike race.

Scott Smart, also from Maidstone, returned to the UK this week after winning both races of the Qatar International Road Racing Championship second round.

He was battling it out with Qatari rider Mishal Al Naimi and Abdul Aziz Binladin from Saudi for honours and doubled up in the Emirates to put himself fourth in the rider standings.

Race two was tight with Smart winning ahead of Al Naimi and crossed the line just 0.060 seconds ahead of the challenger.

Smart, who was a wild card in the first round of the championship at Losail, has now committed to completing the whole championship.

The next round of championship will be on January 13 and 14.