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ASBK Supersport 300 | R3 Cup | Juniors Cup | Form guide

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2019 ASBK Supersport 300
YMF R3 Cup
Oceanic Juniors Cup

With Mark Bracks
Images by TBG and Rob Mott

Mark Bracks gives MCNews.com.au the inside scoop on the Supersport 300, R3 Cup and Oceania Juniors Cup categories, following their appearances at the official ASBK test at Phillip Island last weekend.

ASBK TBG FebTest PI Seth Crump TBG
Seth Crump topped the weekend’s testing on his KTM

YMI Supersport 300 & YMF R3 Cup

Early signs at the test for the Supersport 300 and R3 Cup were that there hasn’t been too many departures from the ranks in 2019.

24 riders participated at the test, but by the time the race action happens in a few weeks the grids will swell to have nearly 40 riders vying for position.

ASBK TBG FebTest PI Tom Bramich TBG
Tom Bramich was in attendence, but testing his WSBK machinery and not counted in the official time sheets

Two that did leave are Tom Bramich who is off to compete in the Supersport 300 World Championship in Europe, while Oli Bayliss steps up to the Supersport 600 class. Apart from these two, the class will have a lot of the same players for the year racing with the same insane intensity that we have become accustomed to.

ASBK TBG FebTest PI Seth Crump TBG
Seth Crump

Honestly, no. It will probably be more intense and competitive, as each year the action rises to another level. Casting an eye over the entry list there is no doubt it will be a dynamite season.

ASBK TBG FebTest PI Harry Khouri TBG
Harry Khouri

This year also oversees the introduction of the Kawasaki Ninja 400 to the category, albeit with some limitations, primarily of which are the restrictions on suspension changes for the 400, compared to the more extensive hardware based suspension tuning allowed for the smaller capacity Yamaha YZF-R3, Ninja 300 and KTM 390.

ASBK TBG FebTest PI Locky Taylor TBG
Locky Taylor

Tom Bramich was at the test but was not included in the official times as he was testing a Ninja 400 that he will use in the Supersport 300 World Championship in Europe this year. The bike he will race for Carl Cox Motorsports is allowed a lot more extras than what is allowed in the corresponding category here, so Tom was out getting accustomed to a Kawasaki and the extras that come with it.

ASBK TBG FebTest PI Tom Bramich TBG
Tom Bramich

The ever improving Seth Crump was fastest over the two days, but again, testing times mean little as every one of them are contantly improving their riding skill. His usual combatants were there in attendance including 2018 GP Juniors Cup Champion Max Stauffer, Locky Taylor and Harry Khouri.

ASBK TBG FebTest PI Max Stauffer TBG
Max Stauffer

One interesting note is that BCPerformance Kawasaki have drafted in one of Australia’s fastest lady racers in Tayla Relph, who joins the team alongside West Australian Callum O’Brien. Relph is one of the most determined and gutsy competitors you’ll find and has deepened her intensity and determination since joining the ranks of the 300s after a number of years racing a Moto3 machine.

ASBK TBG FebTest PI Tayla Relph TBG
Tayla Relph

O’Brien, another one of the graduates of the GP Juniors meanwhile is a very quiet unassuming young kid who knows what he wants and goes about the task with a minimum of fuss but a truckload of determination. Watch him come of age as a rider under the tutelage of the BCPerformance Team.

ASBK TBG Rnd Morgan Park Callum OBrien TBG
Callum O’Brien

As for Tayla now that she has a professional team environment around her, she may well take that little extra step to be a regular on the podium.

ASBK TBG FebTest PI Tayla Relph TBG
With Ninja 400’s allowed in the class, limitations include having to use standard suspension

Adding spice to this already ultra-competitive line-up will be Senna Agius and Ben Baker, who both competed in the Asia Talent Cup last year. Their seasons were compromised by injury but both will gleefully jump into this cauldron of young talent and no doubt put to use their experiences of the competition with the best youngsters of Asia last year.

ASBK TBG FebTest PI Senna Agius TBG
Senna Agius
Supersport 300 & R3 Cup combined testing
  1. Seth CRUMP (QLD) KTM RC 390 1:49.249
  2. Locky TAYLOR (QLD) Yamaha R3 321 1:49.429
  3. Senna AGIUS (NSW) Kawasaki Ninja 400 1:49.581
  4. Max STAUFFER (NSW) Yamaha R3 321 1:49.617
  5. Callum O’BRIEN (WA) Kawasaki Ninja 400 1:49.939
  6. Luke POWER (VIC) Yamaha R3 321 1:49.939
  7. Zac LEVY (QLD) Yamaha R3 321 1:50.109
  8. Ben BAKER (NSW) Kawasaki Ninja 300 1:50.823
  9. Harry KHOURI (NSW) Yamaha R3 321 1:50.829
  10. Zylas BUNTING (NSW) Yamaha R3 321 1:50.917
  11. Kyle O’CONNELL (QLD) Yamaha R3 321 1:51.117
  12. Peter NERLICH (VIC) Kawasaki Ninja 400 1:51.179
  13. Bronson PICKETT (WA) Yamaha R3 321 1:52.840
  14. Tayla RELPH (QLD) Kawasaki Ninja 400 1:52.952
  15. Jesse WOODS (TAS) Yamaha R3 321 1:53.055
  16. Cameron AGOSTINI (NT) Honda CBR 300 1:54.575
  17. Joseph MARINIELLO (VIC) Yamaha R3 321 1:55.758
  18. Jeremy CZMOK (VIC) KTM RC 390 1:57.141
  19. Hayden STIFF (NSW) Kawasaki Ninja 300 1:57.247
  20. Kristian AGOSTINI (NT) Yamaha R3 321 1:57.706
  21. Lachlan O’BRIEN (NT) Yamaha R3 321 2:00.319
  22. Ben ANGELIDIS (ACT) Yamaha R3 321 2:00.537
  23. Andrew DE KUYPER (VIC) Kawasaki Ninja 300 2:04.298
ASBK TBG FebTest PI Cater Thompson TBG
Carter Thompson

bLU cRU Oceania Juniors Cup

ASBK Testing OJC Phillip Island Rob Mott Bikes Oceania Cup
bLU cRU Oceania Juniors Cup

The weekend also saw the debut of the Oceania Juniors Cup for the young tackers. All on Yamaha YZF-R15s, the series is a step forward from the GP Juniors Cup with Motorcycling Australia taking over the running, and already it has shown great promise with over 25 riders turning up for the turn-key competition series.

ASBK Testing OJC Phillip Island Rob Mott Bikes Oceania Cup
bLU cRU Oceania Juniors Cup

It harps back to the very early days of production racing where a rider (or families in this case) pay an amount for the year which includes bike, riding gear, bike transport and all the rest, with the bikes being transported by MA and Yamaha.

ASBK TBG FebTest PI Max Gibbons TBG
Max Gibbons

Turn up. Pick an ignition key. Go race.

It’s going to be hard to recognise the young racers as all bikes and leathers are identical so it will be subtle markings like numbers – that normally are hard to decipher at the distance, as well as helmet design that will identify them to the masses of onlookers that will witness their antics during the year.

ASBK Testing OJC Phillip Island Rob Mott Bikes Oceania Cup
bLU cRU Oceania Juniors Cup

Keep an eye out for names like Glenn Nelson, Angus Grenfell, Max Gibbons, Cros Francis, Reece Oughtred, Marianos Nikolis, Tom Drane, Zak Pettendy and Jamie Port. All will no doubt become part of an ever growing list of, ‘Names for the Future’.

ASBK TBG FebTest PI Archi McDonald TBG
Archie McDonald
Oceania Juniors Cup combined testing
  1. Max GIBBONS (QLD) 2:14.735
  2. Carter THOMPSON (NSW) 2:14.835
  3. Archie McDONALD (NSW) 2:14.897
  4. Cormac BUCHANAN (NZ) 2:14.957
  5. Angus GRENFELL (VIC) 2:15.082
  6. Cros FRANCIS (NSW) 2:15.202
  7. Glenn NELSON (QLD) 2:15.486
  8. Lucas QUINN (QLD) 2:15.668
  9. Jamie PORT (VIC) 2:15.681
  10. Alex KENWORTHY-JONES (NSW) 2:15.890
  11. Marianos NIKOLIS (NSW) 2:16.201
  12. Jai RUSSO (NSW) 2:16.352
  13. Reece OUGHTRED (VIC) 2:16.379
  14. Tom DRANE (NSW) 2:16.389
  15. Hunter DIPLOCK (NSW) 2:16.410
  16. Jacob HATCH (QLD) 2:16.515
  17. Zak PETTENDY (NSW) 2:18.255
  18. Tom CONNORS (NSW) 2:21.324
  19. Varis FLEMING (VIC) 2:21.506
  20. Dominic FLETCHER (NSW) 2:24.868
  21. Patrick BOGNAR (VIC) 2:25.186
  22. Toby JAMES (VIC) 2:25.215
  23. Lincoln KNIGHT (NSW) 2:29.342
  24. Pyper KENT (WA) 2:40.984
  25. Natalie BARBATI (VIC) 3:22.274
ASBK Testing OJC Phillip Island Rob Mott Bikes Oceania Cup
bLU cRU Oceania Juniors Cup

Source: MCNews.com.au

Motorcycle News, Motorcycle Racing, News

Phillip Island Official ASBK Test – Support Class Wrap

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Toparis tops Supersport time sheets

The first session of the Supersport class on Saturday saw Tom Toparis getting his year off to a good start, in what serves as a warm up for his racing season, which now also includes a wildcard entry in Round 1 of the FIM World Supersport Championship at the end of the month.

Toparis was in intimidating form as he set fastest time of the day on the Yamaha R6, his first outing for the marque after moving over from Kawasaki.

ASBK Test Phillip Island Feb Tom Toparis
Tom Toparis – Image by TBG

Right behind Toparis was Nicholas Liminton (Yamaha Motor Aust., Yamaha YZF-R6) in second and Aidan Hayes (Hayes Johnston Pty Ltd Chartered Accountants, Yamaha YZF-R6) in third place.

Oli Bayliss (Yamaha YZF-R6) was knocking on the door of the top group but couldn’t catch third placed Pearson, ending up fourth with a 1.37.840. Behind him was Reid Battye (Suzuki, Suzuki GSX-R), seemingly getting more comfortable on the bike after a slow first session to finish fifth fastest.

If Tom Toparis was in intimidating form on Day 1, then on Sunday he proved he was untouchable. Already down into the 1:35’s by lunchtime, Toparis (1:35.295) pushed his Landbridge Yamaha almost two seconds clear of second placed Nic Liminton (1:37.273) who despite improving as the weekend progressed still didn’t have the pace to catch the World Supersport wild card rider.

ASBK Testing SS Phillip Island Rob Mott Tom TOPARIS
Tom Toparis – Image by Rob Mott

After a weekend’s worth of trying, Oli Bayliss finally managed to crack the top three for the second and third sessions of the day despite reportedly clipping a stray bird whilst out on track. He finished the weekend in third position behind Liminton and Toparis in what was a superb improvement from yesterday.

Fighting it out for best of the rest all weekend was Broc Pearson and Reid Battye, who were consistently in the top five runners all weekend. Pearson ended the weekend on a 1:37.588 to leave him in fourth, while Battye could only manage a 1:38.142 which left him fifth.

Aidan Hayes and Territorian Sam Lambert managed to dip into the top five in the morning however couldn’t seem to match the top three for pace on a consistent basis. Pearson (1:37.588) ended up fifth and Lambert (1:38.134) ended the weekend in sixth.

Fastest Overall Top 10 Results

  1. Tom TOPARIS (Landbridge Yamaha, Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:35.295
  2. Nicholas LIMINTON (Yamaha Motor Aust. Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:37.273
  3. Oli BAYLISS (Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:37.492
  4. Broc PEARSON (Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:37.588
  5. Reid BATTYE (Suzuki, Suzuki GSX-R) 1:38.134
  6. Sam LAMBERT (Mv Agusta Aus-NZ, MV Agusta F3) 1:38.142
  7. Aidan HAYES (Hayes Johnston Pty Ltd Chartered Accountants, Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:38.496
  8. Scott NICHOLSON (Traction Control Motorsport, Suzuki GSX-R) 1:39.013
  9. Ty LYNCH (Australian Outdoor Living, Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:39.136
  10. Ryan TAYLOR (Arden Homes, Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:39.182

YMI Supersport 300 / YMF R3 Cup

He’s new to the team and the bike, but nothing could stop Locky Taylor in taking out the fastest overall lap time in the YMI Supersport 300 and YMF R3 Cup classes on Saturday. Taylor clocked in a fastest time of 1:49.429, ahead of Seth Crump (Rockoil, KTM RC 390) who finishes Day One with the second fastest overall time of 1:49.768.

ASBK Test Phillip Island Feb Locky Taylor
Locky Taylor – Image by TBG

Third fastest overall was Callum O’Brien (BC Performance, Kawasaki Ninja 400), who featured consistently at the top of the leader board throughout the day. O’Brien finished Day One of the Official ASBK Test with a top lap time of 1:49.939.

Hot on the heels of O’Brien was Zac Levy (Demmery Motorsport, Yamaha R3 321), who clocked in a speedy time of 1:50.109. Rounding out the top five for the day was Luke Power (RTR, Yamaha R3 321) with a best time of 1:50.423.

On Day Two, coming out of the pits like a demon behind the handlebars, Seth Crump (Rockoil, KTM RC 390) took out the fastest lap time for the YMI Supersport 300 and YMF R3 Cup classes.

ASBK Test Phillip Island Feb Seth Crump
Seth Crump – Image by TBG

Crump clocked in a best time of 1:49.249, sitting pretty ahead of second place holder Locky Taylor (YRD, Yamaha R3 321) with a 1:49.429. Taylor continued his fantastic form from Saturday’s practice sessions, maintaining a cool head into today’s rising temperatures.

Third fastest for Sunday was Senna Agius (Kawasaki Ninja 400) with a time of 1:49.581. Agius has been riding comfortably with the leading pack all day, appearing in the top three places for each of his four practice sessions. Breathing down Agius’ neck and trailing by a mere .36 seconds was Max Stauffer (Yamaha, Yamaha R3 321), with the fourth fastest time of 1:49.617.

Rounding out the top five for Day Two was Callum O’Brien (BC Performance, Kawasaki Ninja 400) with a time of 1:49.939.

Fastest Overall Top 10 Results

  1. Seth CRUMP (Rockoil, KTM RC 390) 1:49.249
  2. Locky TAYLOR (YRD, Yamaha R3 321) 1:49.429
  3. Senna AGIUS (Kawasaki Ninja 400) 1:49.581
  4. Max STAUFFER (Yamaha, Yamaha R3 321) 1:49.617
  5. Callum O’BRIEN (BC Performance, Kawasaki Ninja 400) 1:49.939
  6. Luke POWER (RTR, Yamaha R3 321) 1:49.939
  7. Zac LEVY (Demmery Motorsport, Yamaha R3 321) 1:50.109
  8. Ben BAKER (Kawasaki Ninja 300) 1:50.823
  9. Harry KHOURI (Excite M-sports, Yamaha R3 321) 1:50.829
  10. Zylas BUNTING (Shark Leathers, Yamaha R3 321) 1:50.917

bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup

The first ever practice session for the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup kicked off on Saturday as the first time Motorcycling Australia’s Junior Road Race Academy program had ever taken to the track.

ASBK Test Phillip Island Feb bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup
bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup – Image by TBG

Damien Cudlin led the field out for their first two supervised laps before waving the field past and unleashing the 25 youngsters onto the Phillip Island circuit for the very first of their practice sessions.

The first untimed session gave the kids the chance to feel their way around the circuit and the bikes at their own pace, before the timing started and the young riders started to come to grips with how the bikes handled.

Fastest time of the day went to Lucas Quinn (2:15.668), ahead of Grenfell and Carter Thompson.

As the pitlane opened on Sunday and the sessions began the youngsters would crank the throttle wide open and swarm out of pit exit, anxious to make the most of every second of their fifteen minutes on track.

The action was akin to a mini Moto3 race, with bunches of six and seven riders having five lap long drafting chains exciting enough to draw a few of the top class riders out of the pit garages for a look at the action.

By the time the weekend finished it was Queensland’s Max Gibbons who came out on top, setting a impressive 2:14.375 to take fastest of the day, followed by Carter Thompson (2:14.835), Archie McDonald (2:14.897), New Zealand’s Cormac Buchanan (2:14.957), and Angus Grenfell (2:15.082).

Rider coach Damien Cudlin was thrilled with the performance of the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup riders.

Damien Cudlin

“So far it’s been a really positive test, I think the kids have all really enjoyed themselves, they’ve learnt a whole lot. “They’ve really surprised me and I think a lot of people in the pitlane with how professional they’ve been and how well they’re riding already, so I’m even more excited to see them in their first race.”

The young racers’ next outing is at Wakefield Park, where the Junior Road Race Academy will go racing for real with the first-ever Oceania Junior Cup round joining Round 2 of ASBK. If this weekend’s performance is anything to go by, these young talented riders will be itching to be the first to stamp their name on the series and will be providing us with some absolutely thrilling racing.

Overall Fastest Top 10 Results

  1. Max GIBBONS bLU cRU Yamaha Yamaha YZF-R15 (2:14.735)
  2. Carter THOMPSON bLU cRU Yamaha Yamaha YZF-R15 (2:14.835)
  3. Archie McDONALD bLU cRU Yamaha Yamaha YZF-R15 (2:14.897)
  4. Cormac BUCHANAN bLU cRU Yamaha Yamaha YZF-R15 (2:14.957)
  5. Angus GRENFELL bLU cRU Yamaha Yamaha YZF-R15 (2:15.082)
  6. Cros FRANCIS bLU cRU Yamaha Yamaha YZF-R15 (2:15.202)
  7. Glenn NELSON bLU cRU Yamaha Yamaha YZF-R15 (2:15.486)
  8. Lucas QUINN bLU cRU Yamaha Yamaha YZF-R15 (2:15.668)
  9. Jamie PORT bLU cRU Yamaha Yamaha YZF-R15 (2:15.681)
  10. Alex KENWORTHY-JONES bLU cRU Yamaha YZF-R15 (2:15.890)

The end of official testing sees the beginning of the countdown to Round 1 of the season, when we return to Phillip Island on 21-24 February 2019. Make sure you don’t miss it as the Australians join the world’s best Superbike racers for a thrilling weekend of superbike action for Round 1 of the FIM World Superbike Championship. Get your tickets now!

2019 ASBK Calendar

  • Official ASBK Test – Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC February 2 – 3
  • Round 1- WSBK – Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC February 21 – 24
  • Round 2- Wakefield Park Raceway – Goulburn NSW March 22 – 24
  • Round 3- The Bend Motorsport Park – Tailem Bend, SA April 26 – 28
  • Round 4- Morgan Park Raceway – Warwick, QLD July 5 – 7
  • Round 5- Winton Motor Raceway – Benalla, VIC September 6 – 8
  • Round 6- Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC October 4 – 6
  • Round 7- Sydney Motorsport Park – Eastern Creek, NSW November 1 – 3

Source: MCNews.com.au

Motorcycle News, Motorcycle Racing, News

bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup status boost | 2019 Entry List

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bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup Gets Dorna Support

Oceania Junior Cup 2019 Entry list announced

The pathway to World Championship Grand Prix racing as become a little easier for aspiring young Oceania talent, with Dorna having just announced that the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup has now been afforded Road to MotoGP status alongside the two other main Grand Prix feeder series such as the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup and Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup. Riders competing in bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup – and in spirit with the ‘Road to MotoGP’ effort now have a direct path to Motorcycle Grand Prix Racing.

Riders from the Oceania Junior Cup will also be given the chance to attend the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Selection Event in 2019. This has been made possible by the continued support provided by Motorcycling Australia, the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) and FIM Oceania, the regional representatives of the FIM.

MotoGP Valencia Moto Can Oncu
Dorna’s talent programs bearing fruits. Red Bull Rookies cup rider’ Can Oncu debuted in Moto3 via a wildcard in and won at 15, setting a new record.

Born from the desire to develop exceptional Australian motorcycle road racing talent, this announcement is particularly great news for juniors looking for a structured pathway to Grand Prix Motorcycle Racing. As is the excitement and interest, the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup received many applications from an impressive array of junior competitors from across the country, hailing from nearly every motorcycling discipline including Road Race, Motocross, Dirt Track, Enduro and Speedway. Included in the line-up is a strong representation from four Australian States, two female contenders and a representative from New Zealand also. 

Peter Goddard
Peter Goddard

Peter Goddard, Motorcycling Australia President:

“For Dorna to endorse the Oceania Junior Cup under the Road to MotoGP program is an exciting opportunity for all involved and adds a substantial level of credibility to what we are trying to achieve. Such an important partnership cements the key criteria of the program, creating a clear progression plan between the Oceania Junior Cup and the world stage. The development of the next World Champion from our region has received a huge boost today.”

Randy Mamola and Carmelo Ezpeleta
Carmelo Ezpeleta

Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports:

“We are delighted to welcome another series to our Road to MotoGP program. The Road to MotoGP is going from strength to strength and has an incredibly successful record in finding and promoting talent. The bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup will be an asset to the program and perfectly complements our aims for the Oceania region. We’re excited to begin this new collaboration.”

After careful consideration, MA would like to introduce you to the 26 bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup finalists, for the class of 2019!

OCEANA

Rider First Name Surname State
11 Natalie Barbati VIC
12 Reece Oughtred VIC
14 Jacob Hatch QLD
15 Zak Pettendy NSW
17 Hunter Diplock NSW
18 Tom Connors NSW
21 Carter Thompson NSW
22 Lincoln Knight NSW
24 Jamie Port VIC
26 Dominic Fletcher NSW
27 Toby James VIC
28 Cormac Buchanan NZ
31 Max Gibbons QLD
32 Jai Russo NSW
36 Angus Grenfell VIC
37 Patrick Bognar VIC
39 Glenn Nelson QLD
42 Cros Francis NSW
44 Pyper Kent WA
46 Marianos Nikolis NSW
53 Alex Kenworthy-Jones NSW
55 Varis Fleming VIC
58 Lucas Quinn QLD
59 Tom Drane NSW
69 Archie McDonald NSW
74 Jacob Roulstone NSW

The maiden season kicks off with the Official ASBK Test at Phillip Island in February 2-3, before racing commences for Round 1 at Wakefield Park Raceway in Goulburn, New South Wales, on March 22-24. Running alongside the Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) for 5 of the 6 rounds, the program will introduce the finalists to the highest level of Australian road race competition and exemplify the focus and mentality required to become a true champion.

2019 bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup Calendar
Official ASBK Test – Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit – Phillip Island, VIC      2 – 3 Feb
1 Wakefield Park Raceway (ASBK) – Goulburn, NSW                            22 – 24 Mar
2 Broadford State Motorcycle Complex (MotoStars) – Broadford, VIC           6– 7 Apr
3 Morgan Park Raceway (ASBK) – Warwick, QLD                                         5 – 7 Jul
4 Winton Motor Raceway (ASBK) – Benalla, VIC                                            6 – 8 Sep
5 Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit (ASBK) – Phillip Island, VIC                      4 – 6 Oct
6 Round 6 – Sydney Motorsport Park (ASBK) – Eastern Creek, NSW                     1 – 3 Nov

Source: MCNews.com.au

MotoGP, Motorcycle News, Motorcycle Racing, News

bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup joins Road to MotoGP

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Damian Cudlin becomes Official Junior Cup Coach

Motorcycling Australia has announced that the all new bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup has officially become a Road to MotoGP program with the support of Dorna Sports S.L, as well as introducing Damian Cudlin as an official coach for the series.

This announcement comes as a huge boost for the already exciting junior road race academy and comes at the perfect time to launch the program’s new name – bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup.

Red Bull Rookies MotoGP Cup Aragon Rnd Carlos Tatay
Red Bull Rookies MotoGP Cup is another of the Road to MotoGP series

Dorna Sports S.L, are the commercial rights holders and promoters of MotoGP, the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup and British Talent Cup. Dorna has also co-organized the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup since its inception in 2007.

Their endorsement is a significant development and adds the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup to the esteemed list of Dorna Road to MotoGP programs around the world. The Dorna commitment also provides five guaranteed positions in the 2019 Asia Talent Cup Selection Event for riders from the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup, and cements MA’s objective to develop clear pathways for junior road racers in the Oceania region.

BLU CRU Oceania Rookies Cup
The bLU cRU Oceania Rookies Cup will now be called the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup
Peter Goddard – MA President

“For Dorna to endorse the Oceania Junior Cup under the Road to MotoGP program is an exciting opportunity for all involved and adds a substantial level of credibility to what we are trying to achieve. Such an important partnership cements the key criteria of the program, creating a clear progression plan between the Oceania Junior Cup and the world stage. The development of the next World Champion from our region has received a huge boost today.”

A high percentage of riders across MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 classes came from the various Road to MotoGP programmes, with every permanent rider in the Moto3 World Championship now having raced in a series on the Road to MotoGP.

Carmelo Ezpeleta – Dorna CEO

“We are delighted to welcome another series to our Road to MotoGP program. The Road to MotoGP is going from strength to strength and has an incredibly successful record in finding and promoting talent. The bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup will be an asset to the program and perfectly complements our aims for the Oceania region. We’re excited to begin this new collaboration.”

Asia Talent Cup Sepang Start
Asia Talent Cup – Sepang

The response from MA and Motorcycling New Zealand (MNZ) members has been phenomenal, with the program over subscribed and applications coming in from nearly every discipline of motorcycle racing as young riders seek an opportunity to be involved.

Entries for 2019 are now closed and the finalists for the inaugural Oceania Junior Cup will be announced shortly.

Adding to today’s exciting news is also confirmation that selected riders from the Oceania Junior Cup will be provided the opportunity of entering the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Selection Event in 2019.

Damian Cudlin to coach for 2019 Oceania Junior Cup

Experienced in the world of the MotoGP and Moto2, Damian Cudlin is a respected figure in the Australian motorcycle industry and has been announced as the Official Coach for the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup.

Damian Cudlin
Damian Cudlin

Managing motorcycle coaching and junior road racing along the east coast of Australia for the past few years under the MotoStars banner, and his recent appointment as the Australian Junior Road Race Championship (AJRC) promoter, Cudlin was the obvious choice. Like the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup, Damian has a vision to open up the sport to a new generation, whilst additionally guiding them down the right path in relation to skills and aptitude.

Damian Cudlin

“The concept is really exciting and it’s what Australia needs! When I first heard about the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup, I thought it was a great idea! With what we’re building over at MotoStars with the Australian Junior Road Race Championship, I felt it was a fantastic crossover between the two initiatives. So, I put my hand up straight away to be involved.”

Damian Cudlin
Damian Cudlin

With hopes of developing even younger Australian road racing talent, Cudlin notes that this venture is, “Australia’s chance to have a really great feeder program. I think it’s really important, at this stage of a junior rider’s development, to get the best guidance and training possible. There’s a lot of things you need to prepare for, both on and off the motorcycle. This is our chance to give the kids a really solid grounding and put them a long way ahead of everyone else.”

Source: MCNews.com.au