Source: Supplied.

Australia will have another top rider on the World Supersport Championship grid this weekend at Imola, with Jed Metcher securing a fill-in position on the WIL Racedays Honda team for the Italian round.

Metcher was initially poised to ride the IDM Superbike series with Team Wilbers BMW Racing, however a split with the team following pre-season testing has seen him on a variety of bikes and series since.

Earlier this month Metcher made an 11th-hour appearance in the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup series at Assen with Kawasaki Puccetti Racing, qualifying 17th and finishing 26th after experiencing mixed conditions throughout the weekend.

“It has been an incredibly strange start to my 2016 race season, which has seen me on two different makes of bike in two different classes and two different championships,” Metcher explained. “I have only been filling in for injured riders after my unnecessary departure with from IDM Superbike.

“But good news is I will be back on track in World Supersport this weekend in Imola, Italy. It is again a change of team to Wil Race Days Honda, a team I’ve had a good relationship with in the past, and should be a pleasure to work with. Jeremy McWilliams will for the second time in my World Supersport career be my crew chief, so business as usual!

“Although it is only a one off replacement ride until the current rider is fit, it gives me the opportunity to show that I deserve a place in the world championship paddock. It has been a tough time for me of late and to see my support crew and sponsors really step up and help out is amazing.

“Special thanks to RT Racing support for the time spent contacting every team in the world and putting together many opportunities, Demolition Plus and Valid Technology for really stepping up at short notice.

“As Always Damen Leathers, Kabuto Helmets, SL Grafics, Race Center, Daytona Boots, Batteries North, Tapes Online, Fit Moto, GB Racing, SBS Brake Pads, MWR Air Filters and Blue Gorilla.”

After winning the Superstock 600 FIM Cup in 2011, Metcher campaigned a full season of World Supersport the following year in 2012 and finishing 14th in the championship standings.