Kennedy confirmed at Rivamoto Honda

Irishman Jack Kennedy will contest the 2013 World Supersport Championship with Russian team Rivamoto, which will be managed by former MotoGP competitor Jeremy McWilliams.

Rivamoto has made the switch from Yamaha to Honda machinery for next season, when Kennedy will be joined by Eduard Blokhin.

The pair have already completed pre-season tests as they build towards 2013.

Kennedy was a leading contender in the British Supersport Championship this year and agonisingly lost out on the title with a machine failure on his Mar-Train Yamaha at the final round.

Kennedy said: "I am delighted to have signed a contract with Rivamoto.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to participate in the world championship. I will try to do everything to make sure the team believes in me, and to achieve the best results.

"Of course, I have no illusions, I'm a rookie in this series, and I still have much to learn.

"But tests in Jerez showed that I had a good feeling with the bike. So now I'm looking forward to the season."

Northern Irishman McWilliams believes Kennedy has made the move to the championship at the right time in his career.

"We are pleased to have been joined by Jack. Watching his career, I can say that it's a perfect time to come to try his hand at a global level," he said.

"We made a decision to speak to Honda about changing for 2013 and looking at the progress of Jack on the new bike during the tests we are confident in the prospects for next season.

"He has literally exceeded himself on a new track, and now we are planning to return to Jerez in January, before the official tests start at Phillip Island."