Motorcycling Australia (MA) will introduce an age reduction to enter the Supersport 600 category in 2019, enabling riders of 15 years of age eligible to contest the division if they meet certain criteria.

Similar to the endorsement for 13-year-olds to step into the Supersport 300 class, the new ruling has been passed to allow endorsements to be made available for those competitors who warrant being permitted graduate to the Supersport 300 class into the Supersport 600 class.

For each application certain requirements will need to be met and considered, which are outlined in the 2019 Manual of Motorcycle Sport, effective 1 January 2019.

The strategy is to encourage a sustainable and more accessible progression plan, where junior competitors can develop their skills at an early age through the respective classes available before contesting a club, state or national championship on a superbike.

It’s been revealed Josh Hansen will contest this weekend’s Monster Energy S-X Open Auckland in New Zealand, marking round two of the Monster Energy S-X Open Supercross FIM Oceania Championship.

A late addition to the line-up, former AMA regular Hansen will strengthen a rider list that boasts international stars Dean Wilson (DPH Motorsport Husqvarna), Justin Brayton (Penrite Honda Racing) and Chad Reed (Autotrader Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing), along with Australian Supercross contenders Dan Reardon (Yamaha), Brett Metcalfe (Penrite Honda Racing), Luke Clout (KTM Motocross Racing Team) and more.

“It’s really cool to be heading back to New Zealand,” Hansen commented. “It’s a stunning country and just makes for a rad trip. I’ve been riding out at the Californian tracks for a while now just getting supercross dialled on the Honda, and I do feel really good.

“I’ve got awesome memories of racing down here, getting the win in ’09 and then the overall championship too. It’ll be cool, obviously Dean, Reedy and Brayton are on it right now – so no doubt it’ll be difficult going up against them, but I’m ready – ready to take them on.”

Hansen captured his maiden win in the now defunct Super X series in New Zealand in 2009, which later translated into a championship-winning year for the American.

Following a 10-year absence, the FIM International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) will return to Portugal in 2019 for the first time since 2009.

Situated in the south of the country, the beautiful Algarve city of Portimao and its world-renowned Autódromo Internacional do Algarve will host to the 94th running of ISDE.

With its large, purpose-built facility, the international motor racing circuit will act as the paddock and centre hub of activity for the race. Utilising the surrounding mountainsides, three unique routes will be laid out incorporating a wide range of terrain for riders to contest.

The opening two days will be predominantly sandy, while days three, four and five offer a contrasting character of forest and rocky terrain that will take riders into the country’s highest mountain range.

Daily routes are expected to be around 300 kilometres each in length, ensuring both riders and machines will be tested to their absolute limits, while also enjoying breath taking scenery. With the official date yet to be confirmed, the 2019 ISDE is expected to be held between late October and early November.

A restructure in the Moto2 and Moto3 qualifying format has been revealed for 2019, which will see the two classes brought into the line with the premier MotoGP category, where Q1 and Q2 sessions will be introduced.

The decision comes after discussion with teams and reviewing the current situation in Moto3, where many riders are waiting and riding slowly, plus also considering the experience of riders in Moto2.

It is expected that this system will also bring a more entertaining format for the fans as well as preparing the young riders for the same system of classification as the premier class. This will also make for a consistent qualifying format across all grand prix classes.

Riders in Moto2 and Moto3 will continue to have three free practice sessions, with the fastest 14 riders from the combined standings will qualify directly for Q2. The other riders will compete in Q1 and the four fastest riders will join the other 14 in Q2.

For both Moto2 and Moto3 the free practice sessions will last 40 minutes, and both qualifying sessions will have a duration of 15 minutes. The four riders that participate in both Q1 and Q2 will be allowed to use one extra rear soft tyre.

Youthful talent Caleb Grothues has indicated he’ll remain with SDM Corse Yamaha Official EMX250 Team in 2019, announcing he’s signed on with the factory outfit for a full campaign next year, which will mark his third season in Europe.

The Western Australian joined the team in what was believed to be trial period beginning at the sixth round of the 2018 Motocross European Championship (EMX250) in France, ultimately remaining with the squad for the remainder of year while collecting a career-best finish of fifth overall at Assen’s finale.

“[I’m] happy to announce for the 2019 season I will be riding on board a factory Yamaha for SDM Corse Yamaha,” Grothues confirmed in a social media statement.

“I can’t express how grateful and excited I am about this and I’m more than ready for the season to start. A big thank you to everyone that has supported me from the beginning to now, and I’ll keep you all posted for more news to come.”

The former 65cc world champion is set to be joined at the David Philippaerts-managed operation by Gianluca Facchetti, Ruben Fernandez and Rick Elzinga – a line-up confirmed last month in October.