Image: Supplied.

Reigning Australian champion Tom Toparis will enter the European rounds of the World Supersport Championship (WorldSSP) in 2020 after signing with Benro Racing.

The 19-year-old rode with the Dutch team in IDM Supersport last season with a number of impressive performances, now transitioning to the world championship.

Recognised as the FIM Europe Supersport Cup for teams that don’t travel for the fly-away rounds and won by Kyle Smith last year, it is a significant step in the career of Toparis.

“I’m so happy to finally announce that I’ll be with the Benro Racing Team again, but this time on the world stage,” Toparis said. “I’m so grateful and lucky to get this opportunity. I know what to expect after a number of wildcards, so hopefully I can start out with solid results and build as the season progresses.

“With the Benro team and our experience last year racing IDM, I’m feeling confident we can learn all the new tracks quickly. I’m looking forward to an exciting step up to the World Supersport class in 2020.”

Benro Racing team manager Sraar van Rens added: “I’m glad we can finally announce that Tom Toparis will stay with Benro Racing in 2020. We have been speaking with Tom for a long time about this step, he is definitely ready for it and so we are proud that we can confirm our cooperation for 2020.

“Last year Tom did an excellent job and I think that we as Benro Racing have shown that we’re ready for the next step as well. With our experience over the last few years, we enter the WorldSBK paddock with a lot of confidence and I hope we prove it with some surprising results in the coming season!”

Since he will be in the FIM Europe Supersport Cup, Toparis won’t be on the grid at the Australian round between 28 February to 1 March at Phillip Island. His first appearance will come at Jerez, Spain, on 27-29 March.