MotoGP Legend Jeremy Burgess to Guide Kiwi Teen, Ryder Chamberlain

• Fifteen-year-old Kiwi Ryder Chamberlain will receive guidance from legendary MotoGP crew chief Jeremy Burgess at The Bend on November 13–15.
• Chamberlain has secured a ride with Addicted to Track for the Australian Supersport 300 Championship and Yamaha R3 Cup.
• His opportunity is being supported by the NZ Superbike Pathways Foundation following an impressive Australian wildcard appearance earlier this year.

He’s helped some of motorcycle racing’s greatest names win world championships. Now legendary crew chief Jeremy Burgess is lending his experience to 15-year-old New Zealand racer Ryder Chamberlain as he takes on Australia’s best young talent.

There probably aren’t many 15-year-old motorcycle racers who can say they’re heading into a race weekend with one of the most successful crew chiefs in Grand Prix history offering advice.

But that’s exactly what’s happening for rising Kiwi star Ryder Chamberlain.

The young New Zealander is preparing to contest the 2026–27 Australian Supersport 300 Championship and Yamaha R3 Cup, and for his opening round at The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia on November 13–15, he’ll have none other than Jeremy Burgess in his corner.

Yes, that Jeremy Burgess.

The Australian crew chief helped Wayne Gardner, Mick Doohan and Valentino Rossi claim a combined 13 world championships, while also playing a role in Freddie Spencer’s world title success.

And now he’s getting involved in helping one of New Zealand’s most promising young racers take the next step in his career.

From New Zealand racing to the Australian championship

Chamberlain’s opportunity has come through the Superbike Pathways Foundation, established to help talented young New Zealand riders progress through the sport.

And he’s already shown he has the ability to compete across the Tasman.

Earlier this year, the Foundation supported Chamberlain for a wildcard appearance in the final round of the Oceania Junior Cup at Queensland Raceway.

It was a substantial challenge for the youngster, who was racing an unfamiliar motorcycle on tyres he hadn’t used before, at a circuit he’d never visited.

He responded by claiming two podium finishes against some of Australia’s most promising young racers.

That performance convinced Foundation founder and NZSBK promoter Mike Marsden that Chamberlain deserved a bigger opportunity.

“After Ryder’s success in his Australian cameo a couple of months ago, we decided he deserved the opportunity to contest the 300 series and R3 Cup in 2026 and 2027,” says Marsden.

A ride was secured with Mark McGregor’s Addicted to Track team, Bridgestone tyre support was arranged, and the Foundation’s backers began raising the money needed for an Australian championship campaign.

It’s a significant step for a rider still in his mid-teens, particularly given the cost of competing internationally.

Jeremy Burgess joins the team

The involvement of Burgess adds another dimension to the programme.

It was long-time New Zealand racing supporter Stu Avant who arranged for the legendary crew chief to assist Chamberlain at The Bend.

“Jeremy is really enthusiastic about getting involved. It’s close to his home, and what better adviser could Ryder have?” says Avant.

“For all his world championship success, Jeremy has never forgotten the road he took starting out as a racer. He has a quiet but authoritative demeanor, and his ability to relate to riders is legendary.”

For Chamberlain, the opportunity to learn from someone who has worked with some of motorcycle racing’s greatest champions could be invaluable.

Burgess spent decades operating at the highest level of Grand Prix racing, becoming particularly well known for his long and successful partnerships with Doohan and Rossi.

And while Chamberlain is still at the beginning of his racing career, having someone with that depth of experience offering guidance is a remarkable opportunity.

“Jeremy is really enthusiastic about getting involved. It’s close to his home, and what better adviser could Ryder have?” Stu Avant

A network of supporters making it happen

Of course, getting a young rider onto an international grid requires considerably more than talent.

The Superbike Pathways Foundation has assembled a network of supporters to help make Chamberlain’s Australian campaign possible.

Former Mick Doohan team member Dick Smart, originally from Timaru, helped get the funding underway with an A$5,000 contribution, while NZSBK has pledged another NZ$5,000.

Long-time supporter Tom Dermody has also contributed, with Stu and Bec Avant taking responsibility for the on-the-ground arrangements at each round.

And the network extends well beyond New Zealand and Australia.

After Stu Avant mentioned Chamberlain to former Grand Prix star Randy Mamola, the youngster received a substantial package of racing equipment and clothing from Alpinestars.

It’s a good example of just how valuable the connections being developed through the Foundation could become.

Marsden says the organisation’s ambition is about more than supporting one rider.

“We’ve made a solid start and unearthed a very talented rider who is showing great early promise. The Foundation’s goal has been to assist young riders and find the next Aaron Slight – and we’ve already made great progress on both fronts.”

The Foundation has also provided Young Rider Grants this year to Jack Clapham, Billy McRae and Chamberlain in Supersport 150, and Jakob Henderson in Supersport 300, helping them compete in the New Zealand Superbike Championship.

“The Foundation’s goal has been to assist young riders and find the next Aaron Slight – and we’ve already made great progress on both fronts.” Mike Marsden

Five rounds across Australia

Chamberlain’s Australian campaign begins at The Bend on November 13–15, before moving to One Raceway in New South Wales in December.

The championship then resumes at Queensland Raceway in January, followed by Phillip Island in February and Sydney Motorsport Park in March.

It will be a considerable step up in experience, with new circuits, tough competition and the challenge of maintaining consistency over several rounds.

But having already demonstrated his speed against Australian opposition, Chamberlain has every reason to approach the campaign with confidence.

And with Jeremy Burgess helping him at the opening round, he’ll certainly have some pretty impressive experience to draw on.

For New Zealand motorcycle racing, it’s another encouraging example of what can happen when talented young riders receive the support and opportunities needed to develop their careers.

We’ll be watching Ryder’s progress with interest.