Ryder Chamberlain and the legend that is Jeremy Burgess

World championship-winning crew chief to guide young Kiwi at The Bend.

Ryder Chamberlain will have world championship legend Jeremy Burgess in his corner for the opening round of the 2026–27 Australian Supersport 300 Championship.

Burgess was the crew chief who guided Wayne Gardner, Mick Doohan and Valentino Rossi to 13 world championships between them, and he was also involved in Freddie Spencer’s world title.

Chamberlain (15) is one of New Zealand racing’s rising stars, and Foundation founder and New Zealand Superbike Championship promoter Mike Marsden says he is a worthy inaugural recipient of the Superbike Pathways Foundation ASBK Scholarship.

Ryder Chamberlain with Kevin Goddard, who is running the youngster’s New Zealand Supersport 300 Championship campaign.

“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,” Marsden says.

“We secured him a ride with Mark McGregor’s Addicted to Track team, sorted a Bridgestone tyre deal and passed the hat around to raise most of the money required. Next weekend he’ll be mixing it up with Australia’s best young riders.

“Ex-Mick Doohan team member Dick Smart (formerly of Timaru) got the funding ball rolling with a pledge of A$5,000.”

NZSBK has pledged a further NZ$5,000, and Marsden is exploring more fundraising ideas. Long-time New Zealand motorcycling supporter Tom Dermody has also contributed.

“Foundation donors Stu and Bec Avant are taking care of all the on-ground requirements at each round, which is awesome,” Marsden says.

It was Stu Avant who brought Burgess into the team for the opening round at The Bend on 13–15 November.

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

“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 demeanour, and his ability to relate to riders is legendary.”

Marsden is proud of what the Foundation has achieved since its inception two years ago.

“A big thank you to everyone who has contributed to the Foundation – financially, intellectually, in kind or otherwise,” he says.

“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.”

Foundation Young Rider Grants in 2026 went to Jack Clapham, Billy McRae and Ryder Chamberlain (Supersport 150) and Jakob Henderson (Supersport 300) to support their New Zealand Superbike Championship campaigns.

Based on his championship results, the Foundation then backed Chamberlain for a wildcard ride in the final round of the Oceania Junior Cup at Queensland Raceway in June.

“The Foundation is particularly indebted to Stu and Bec Avant for the effort they put in to give Ryder the best possible opportunity to show his potential,” Marsden says. “Special thanks, too, to Jake Lewis for his calm mentoring that weekend.

“Ryder did not disappoint, scoring two podiums on an unfamiliar bike and tyres, at a track he’d never seen, against the hottest young talent in Australia.”

Ryder Chamberlain in Australia earlier this year for a one-round cameo in the Supersport 150 class, with his support team, from left: Avalon Lewis, Jake Lewis, Stu Avant, Mike Marsden, Ryder Chamberlain and dad Stu.

Read the wrap story: https://www.thefinalsector.com/p/from-a-photo-of-a-kid-with-a-mullet

Marsden says everyone’s input is valued, as it builds not only the Foundation’s financial standing but also a growing global network of like-minded backers.

A case in point: Stu Avant mentioned to Randy Mamola that he was involved with a hot young prospect. Within weeks, Chamberlain was unpacking an extremely generous race and clothing package from Alpinestars.

“Support for the Foundation can take many forms – financial, product, accommodation, transport – anything, really,” Marsden says.

“None of this would have been possible without the generosity of our supporters. Thank you to Stu and Bec Avant, Dallas Rankine, Dick Smart (Beaumont Tiles Bundall), Tom Dermody, Richie Weston, Laurie Parson, Mike Webb, Aaron Slight, MotoFest and the MotoGP Tour.

“We’re now calling on our wider network of legends and supporters in the hope of finding a few more donors and sponsors. Please spread the word within your own networks, and feel free to share this link.

“We look forward to welcoming new faces to the Foundation as we provide pathways for our young riders.”

2026–27 Australian Supersport 300 and Yamaha R3 Cup championship dates

• ASBK Round 2 – The Bend, SA, 13–15 November • ASBK Round 3 – One Raceway, NSW, 4–6 December • ASBK Round 4 – Queensland Raceway, Qld, 15–17 January • ASBK Round 5 – Phillip Island, Vic, 26–28 February • ASBK Round 6 – Sydney Motorsport Park, NSW, 19–20 March