Jediah Cumbermack has been afforded the opportunity to compete for one of the top racing teams in Europe as he continues his pursuit of a professional motorcycle racing career.

The Bermudian has joined forces with ROKiT Rookies Kawasaki team, owned by British Superbike champion Leon Haslam, and is poised to compete in this year’s AJN Steelstock Kawasaki British Superteen Championship in the United Kingdom.

Cumbermack, 19, is excited to have the opportunity to put his skills to the test against some of the world’s elite under-20 riders.

“This will be my first time competing in Europe and I will be stacked up against some of the fastest young riders on two wheels,” Cumbermack told The Royal Gazette.

“I am not going to set unrealistic expectations for myself as this will be my very first time racing under a big name and team.

“I would like to be in the top ten or five if possible, and I am very confident that I can do it if I put my mind to it.”

David Jones, the Bermuda Motorcycle Racing Association president, congratulated Cumbermack as he embarks on a new chapter in his career

“I would like to wish Jediah well on this great opportunity to work with one of the best outfits in Europe,” Jones said.

“I hope he makes the best of this moment for they come few and far in between and most importantly be steady from practice to race time for he will have lots of opportunities to shine. The race is not won on the first lap and he has a whole championship to contend with.

“I believe he will do well for himself, the Bermuda Motorcycle Racing Association and his country.”

Cumbermack is one of two new riders, the other is Raheesh Khatri from India, making their debut in the championship this year.

Also among the 24 riders are female racers Aleisha Layton and Holly Harris. The British Superteen Championship runs from May 4 to September 29 alongside the blue-riband class for seven rounds, with a one-off event to take place at the British round of the World Superbike Championship.

To ensure a level playing field, all competitors in the AJN Steelstock Kawasaki British Superteen Championship compete on identical Ninja ZX-4RRs.

Cumbermack has previous experience in the United States in the MotoAmerica STG Junior Cup and North America Talent Cup but is about to venture into the unknown at unfamiliar race tracks.

“Racing overseas in America has taught me valuable skills that I will need going into this championship, but it will be a totally new experience for me,” he said. “The tracks are very different with American tracks being much tighter and the European tracks will be having more long sweeping corners with a wide surface area.

“I am really looking forward for this season and I will make sure to make Bermuda proud.”