Tuesday, 11 April: Kawasaki Sweden has confirmed it has signed Sophie Borgstrom as one of four riders to be selected for its first ever manufacturer backed national racing team.

The 17-year-old from Henan was first given the opportunity to race the Kawasaki SXR1500 at the end of last year and then went over to the USA to test it further on Lake Havesu in February. And after further weeks of training in Sweden is growing more and more comfortable with her machine. “Being supported by Kawasaki is a wonderfull oportunity, really exciting and I am looking forward to this season,” she said.

Borgstrom, who turns 18 in August is loyal to the brand and has been racing a Kawasaki since she was six, and last year won the Ski Ladies GP3 Nordic Championship on her Kawasaki SXR800. This year Kawasaki Racing Team Sweden will compete at all national championship races and the Nordic Championship finals in Finland.

Borgstrom, who made her debut on the international stage on the UIM-ABP tour at 15 in Castro, Italy and is still the youngest in her category, has confirmed she will run the SXR1500 on international duties as part of Team Kev Racing.