You can’t compete in a motorcycle world championship event without a massive amount of behind the scenes assistance, and no one knows that more than Melbourne rider Jed Metcher.

The 24-year-old 2011 European Superstock 600 champion, will take on the world’s best in the opening round of the 2015 Superbike World Championship at Phillip Island next weekend.

Matcher will ride a Race Center-backed RC-10 machine at Phillip Island, based on the Kawasaki ZX-10R.

His small team – comprised mostly of volunteers – will take on the heavily-resourced factory-backed operations from the likes of Kawasaki, Ducati and Honda.

Metcher begins his campaign on Monday, joining the world’s leading teams as they knuckle down for the final pre-season test in preparation for the opening Swann round.

“We’ve been putting this thing together for about 12 months now, and a number of people have worked tirelessly to make it happen,” Metcher said.

“It’s been a big team effort on a limited budget, but that really gives me extra motivation to go and rattle the big international teams.

“We’ll certainly do the best with what we’ve got, but you’ve also got to look at the facts: we’ve been going for a year, while the Kawasaki Racing Team, for example, is an experienced outfit with vastly skilled personnel.

“But that’s how it goes, and it doesn’t alter the fact that I really want to make an impact at Phillip Island – in fact it makes me even more determined.”

Despite the David versus Goliath scenario, Metcher feels the new standardised World Superbikes rules are marginally in his favour compared to Aussies who’ve toiled as wildcards in previous years.

“Engine-wise it’s going to help as the top factory bikes shouldn’t have the horsepower edge as they once did,” he said.

“But it’s the chassis development and electronics side of things where we are left behind – and it’s nearly impossible to bridge that gap as it takes a lot of time, money and effort.”

Metcher will return this Monday and Tuesday for a final test before round one officially commences on Friday ahead of two 22-lap races on Sunday.