Image: Russell Colvin.

bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup contenders Angus Grenfell and Cormac Buchanan have been nominated to be fast-tracked through to the 2020 Red Bull Rookies Cup selection event.

The pair’s nomination is a big tick for the Oceania Junior Cup, which was introduced this year as a road race academy for aspiring road riders from Australia and New Zealand. The pathway program has the support of MotoGP promoter, Dorna, under the Road to MotoGP program, and the FIM through FIM Oceania.

Currently in its 13th season, the Red Bull Rookies Cup has a proven reputation for producing elite talent, with graduates collecting six world championships and 95 GP wins, while 30 alumni are now competing in professional categories from Moto3 to MotoGP.

“I’m really excited about this fantastic opportunity and I can’t thank the OJC series enough for putting my name forward to go to the Red Bull Rookies selection event, and for the series for accepting me,” said Grenfell, who sits in second place in this year’s OJC Championship fight.

“Obviously, I want to get into the 2020 Red Bull Rookies series, but the main thing is I want to get some riding experience and simply see what it’s like to ride in Europe and what the European riders are like as well.”

Buchanan, a New Zealander, couldn’t contain his excitement ahead of a huge step in burgeoning career: “It’s a really big honour, as only two people get selected from the Oceania Junior Cup. It’s great that Angus and I will be representing OJC and, for me personally, representing New Zealand.

“Not a lot of riders from New Zealand have gone over to do the Red Bull Rookies selection event in the past. So, it’s a real focus for me to represent strongly, and I’m proud to fly the Kiwi flag.”

The selection event will take place at a European circuit later this year, with a venue and date still to be confirmed.