Jediah Cumbermack has set his sights on competing in the MotoAmerica STG Junior Cup series this season in order to move a step closer to fulfilling his dream of a professional motorcycle racing career.

The 16-year-old has been invited to the JP43 Training Camp, run by one the sport’s top coaches Jason Pridmore, from February 21 to 27, with the Junior Cup commencing at the renowned Daytona International Speedway, in Florida, on March 9.

It is an opportunity that Cumbermack is determined to seize as he attempts to further enhance his burgeoning career.

“I’m heading to California to train with Jason Pridmore, who has a lot of professional riders under him like Corey Alexander and Michael Gilbert,” he said. “Hopefully it will be a huge help in improving my riding style and then after that, I’m aiming to compete in MotoAmerica. It’s a really exciting time.

“The goal this year is to first reach MotoAmerica, which will enable me to ride in a bigger series and then ultimately to claim some victories and be known for winning races.

“It’s amazing to be able to go abroad and be representing as a Bermudian rider because there aren’t loads of us doing this sport. Hopefully one day I can turn professional and continue to put Bermuda on the map.

“It’s my dream, and has been for ever and so to be going abroad means the world to me.”

Cumbermack raced in several races in the inaugural North America Talent Cup last year and competed against some of the top young riders from the United States, Canada and Mexico after being selected among 20 riders from a list of more than 2,000 applicants.

While Cumbermack was left far from content with his performances in the series, which is seen as an initial pathway to MotoGP and is for riders aged 13 to 16 competing on identical Aprilia RS250SP2 bikes, but it proved a valuable learning experience.

“Last year I didn’t really have the year I wanted to and so this year I’m determined to better this year,” he added. “It helped me better my mental strength because I was getting frustrated but now I just look forward, even when things are not going my way.

“If you want to be professional you have to deal with the bad times as much as the good. There’s a lot of work to get there and last year helped me a lot.”

In order to help try and fulfil his lofty ambitions, a number of local companies have given the aspiring professional a helping hand with sponsorship towards trying to compete in the ten-race MotoAmerica STG Junior Cup series.

The latest, Edgewood Paediatric Services, recently presented Cumbermack with a cheque for $2,500, joining the likes of Aries Sports Centre, Butterfield & Vallis, Feasale Inc and Kalm Salon Lock Gems, who had previously got on board as sponsors.

“This sort of support means a lot because it helps me to go away like I am later this month and will allow me to hopefully gain a lot of experience and better myself,” said Cumbermack after the presentation at the practice located on Richmond Road.

“This sort of sponsorship helps to take a lot of the other stress away, with things like the cost of travelling abroad. I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone here [Edgewood Paediatric Services] for the support.”