Canterbury’s Tom Ward will make is debut in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship with Bikedevils Kawasaki.

Ward will make the step-up to the Kawasaki in the British Superbike championship replacing Gino Rea.

Tom has been a podium finisher in whatever series he has raced in most recently the National Superstock 1000 series.

Having been due to take to the grid in the National Superstock 1000 championship with MSS before the pandemic hit.

He was originally hoping to do some racing as an independent at selected rounds but now he has the chance to showcase his talents in the BSB at Snetterton this weekend.

Speaking about the opportunity, Tom said: “I am really excited for this opportunity as I have always been part of my own team and so everything was always down to me to improve.

“To be able to work with a full team and with PJ [Pete Jennings] as a crew chief is a big opportunity for me. I haven’t ridden since March so I am under no illusions that it will be a big learning weekend especially as I have never tested a Superbike, but this is a great chance and when one door closes another opens. I can’t wait to get started.”

Ward joins fellow Kent riders Alex Olsen and Bradley Ray on the grid this weekend.