Honda have announced they will sponsor the European Junior Cup next season and will wheel in former Leon Haslam technician Jason Wright as general manager.

The Japanese firm will also be technical partner of the series, which will support up to eight European rounds of the World Superbike Championship, and riders from 14-19 years and based in countries from Europe to Asia, as well as the USA and Australia, will race a new Honda sports machine that is expected to be launched at the forthcoming EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, when further details of the 2013 European Junior Cup will also be announced.

“This is another exciting announcement that confirms Honda’s commitment to develop young racing talent. We are basing it on a pyramid structure that begins with national championships around the world, like the NSF100 and Hornet series, and builds to the very top level of world championship racing," said Carlo Fiorani, Honda Europe race boss.

“Michael van der Mark is a great example of this progression and he has progressed from a Junior Cup in the Netherlands, to Superstock 600 and, next season, to the World Supersport championship with Pata Honda. A ride in the Superstock 600 series in 2014, is the first prize in the new European Junior Cup.”