Former European Superstock 600 champion Jed Metcher enters the 2022 Australian Superbike Championship in a position of strength, as added infrastructure and personnel in the 727 Moto Team allows him to shift to a rider-only role.

Metcher previously was instrumental in the management and operation of Metcher Motosports, the outfit fielding himself in the Superbike class alongside up and coming racers in the support classes.

For 2022, the now 727 Moto Team will see Paul Free as crew chief and Stewart Winton handling the electronics, both proven championship winners and sure to be positive additions to the outfit.

“Up to this point we have done everything together and from this point on I’m rider-only, which is exactly what I need,” Metcher told CycleOnline.

“Having Travis, Paul and Stu run the show, my life away from work is so much more relaxed. I feel I’m way fitter, I feel better and obviously, my work is pretty full-on too.

“It’s been a massive relief, really. I’m a little bit of a sucker for punishment I guess – I’m always acting doing stuff and working on the team, so to be able to work just on my fitness and stuff is awesome.”

Also joining the team for the 2022 season is current Australian Supersport champion Broc Pearson, the Queenslander graduating to the premier class to pair with Metcher, a dynamic that could see both riders bring out the best in one another.

“He’s sort of a unique kid, he knows exactly what he wants and exactly where he is at,” Metcher added. “It’s been interesting, I’m looking forward to helping him, and I will be the first person to congratulate him if he beats me and it’s not necessarily you’ve got to beat your teammate sort of set-up.”

By all accounts the team’s testing has been positive in the lead up to the 2022 championship, recently having an outing at Queensland Raceway, the venue which will host round two of the ASBK series in March.