YATE race ace Luke Hedger has set his sights on a top ten finish in his first season in the British Supersport class of the British Superbikes Series.

After winning back-to-back titles – the British 125 Championship in 2012 and Superstock 600 Championship last year – Hedger gets his new season underway this weekend at Brands Hatch.

The 18-year-old is still with the Gearlink Kawasaki team, who he won the Superstock 600 Championship with, but has moved up a class.

"I am very pleased with how the testing has gone," said Hedger.

"I have a very hard season ahead of me and I hope to finish in the top 10 by the end of this year.

"I have been working hard all winter training and I can't wait for round one at Brands Hatch.

"None of this would be possible without all my sponsors so I would just like to thank them all."

Pre-season testing started last month in Spain, but didn't quite go to plan as the weather turned, and with gale force wind they couldn't get as much track time as it was too dangerous.

Hedger then turned up at Donington Park for the first of two BSB official test days.

He and the team worked really hard all day and Hedger was running in fourth position in all four sessions.

The last test day at Snetterton before the season opener was another successful one for Hedger.

He ran some very consistent times all day and was always in the top six, but in the last session he finished on top spot.

At the first round, Hedger will take on a test session on Good Friday before two free practice sessions on Saturday, with qualifying on Easter Sunday.

The first race takes place the same day at 5.15pm with the second on Easter Monday (3.40pm). Both races will be live on Eurosport 2.