A total of 18 Australian riders have been shortlisted for the 2020 Asia Talent Cup selection event, while 10 contenders of the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup (OJC) – a Road to MotoGP program – have made the cut.

The Oceania Junior Cup, in its inaugural season, was initially awarded five guaranteed places in the selection event, however that’s now been extended to 10 positions of the 120 capacity.

The 10 Oceania Junior Cup riders who will make the trip to Sepang include points leader Carter Thompson and current number two Angus Grenfell, as well as Tom Drane, Max Gibbons, Glenn Nelson, Reece Oughtred, Lucas Quinn, Cormac Buchanan, Hunter Diplock, and Patrick Bognar.

“It’s a credit to the OJC kids that they have performed strongly in their first year to impress Dorna to extend its initial offer,” said Motorcycling Australia’s operation manager Martin Port. “The whole aim for the OJC series is to provide a clear pathway of progression and to help develop the riders in preparation for these opportunities.

“These opportunities are a result of a great deal of hard work by the OJC team, and the support of our partners and the industry who are investing in the sport’s future.”

The remaining Australians shortlisted include Tristan Adamson, Senna Agius, Thomas Brown, Declan Carberry, Harry Khouri, Lara Marais, Jai Russo, Ryan Smith and Liam Waters.

At the selection event, each applicant must demonstrate their skills and riding ability around Sepang Karting Circuit outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The selection committee will then meet again to analyse all the data and determine the final riders chosen to participate in the 2020 Asia Talent Cup, as well as a list of reserve riders.