bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup Profile: Jacob Roulstone
Flying under the racing number #74, it’s 14-year-old Jacob Roulstone who features as our second bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup profile for the inaugural 2019 season. A Jamberoo, New South Wales local with three Australian Flat Track titles to his name, Roulstone also has made exciting progress in the 2019 Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup (ATC).
Describing himself as humble, sporty and trustworthy, Roulstone currently sits in fifth place after Round 2, emerging onto the Road Race scene after prolific success in Flat Track, as well as prior experience in Motocross (MX).
With 51 days remaining until our juniors land at Morgan Park, Queensland for Round 3 of the 2019 season, catch up with Roulstone on his love for motorcycling and his experience thus far in the ground-breaking Junior Road Racing Academy.
Tell us about where your love for motorcycle racing began and why?
Ever since I was little, Dad has been competing in Road Race. So, I grew up in the motorcycling community and became really passionate about the sport.
I started off in MX when I was four, just to see if I could ride and if I enjoyed it. My cousins also competed competitively in MX so that helped push me to hop on a bike and try it out. After MX, I moved to Flat Track for about one year and then hopped into the Road Race discipline.
I’m really happy that I‘ve moved across to Road Race, because there’s a lot more development in this discipline. With things like the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup and Moto Stars, you have so much access to developmental training and I love that! I’m also really enjoying returning to Flat Track racing throughout the year as a method of cross training.
Tell us about the first time you hopped on a motorcycle.
From what I can remember, I was actually quite scared. I was on a little PeeWee 50 with Dad hanging onto the back of it. I just have this unshakeable feeling that I’ve loved this sport all my life and I’ve been riding with family all my life.
Thinking back, tell us about one of your favourite memories growing up when it comes to motorcycling?
My oldest memory is winning my first Australian Flat Track title. I then won another the year after which was amazing! Other big moments for me were being selected to try out for the ATC; and actually succeeding in securing a spot in the Championship!
What career do you hope to end up in? For example, WSBK or MotoGP racer?
This year I hope to progress further in the ATC and make it onto the podium, and then be invited back to compete next year. From there I hope to step across to Red Bull MotoGP Rookies and then continue on a path to MotoGP! I am really passionate about making this a full-time career.
Tell us who your sporting idol is. How have they impacted you and your love for motorcycling?
I think my biggest idol is Marc Marquez. What has impacted me is the fact that he’s willing to go that extra length and be different from everyone else. He also takes risks, which I hope to emulate.
What have you learnt from the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup?
The Oceania Junior Cup has taught me how to not rely on the speed of the bike but instead carry the corner speed and learn how to properly pass. I’m used to faster bikes, so this experience has really helped me hone in and refine my technical skills.
I really enjoy having Damian Cudlin as a coach, especially because he’s been in MotoGP. He has that experience from being at the top and it’s really special to me to learn from him.
Tell us about your bike, helmet, leathers, gloves and boots. How are you adjusting to the new bike? How do you find the products that have been chosen specially for you?
The gear is fantastic! The boots, gloves and helmets are really comfortable, and the leathers have been an awesome treat!
The Yamaha YZF-R15 has been a big learning curve for me because it’s slower than what I’ve experienced previously. It’s a good, fun bike to learn on that’s reliable and solid, so you need to be focussed and super precise with your movement. Because we’re all on the same bike, you can’t rely on speed to win, and instead you need to rely on your corners and overtaking.
We will release profiles from the class of 2019 each week, so be sure to stay tuned on your favourite star by heading to ASBK.com.au and following the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup Facebook page!
Images courtesy of tbg Sport
