Image: Russell Colvin.

Australian international Anthony West will make a surprise appearance at the Phillip Island round of the World Supersport Championship when the 2016 season opens on 26-28 February.

West, 34, will spearhead an all-Australian team backed by local company Green Tea X50, riding a Yamaha YZF-R6 and urging fans to get behind the fresh new project in its infancy.

“Big news for Australians and myself!” West wrote on social media. “My first major ‘Australian’ sponsor in 16 years of racing the world Championship. X50 Green Tea have surprised me with this great chance to do the first race of the World Supersport at Phillip Island.

“So please get behind us, I need your support down there and on here. Share this post, like it and get the word out so us Aussies can make this an ongoing thing for the full season. This is an all-Aussie team! Rider, crew and most importantly, the sponsor! We are going there to win, not just fill the grid.”

West was most recently competing in the final rounds of the 2015 MotoGP World Championship, riding with the AB Motoracing Honda team in place of Karel Abraham at Phillip Island, Sepang and Valencia.

Green Tea X50 is a product of the Tribeca Health company, owned by Queensland-based businessman Steve Trinder, who has long had an association with Australian racing on a domestic level.