Ten OJC riders selected for Asia Talent Cup Selection Event

Forming part of the Road to MotoGP program the 2019 bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup (OJC) was initially awarded five guaranteed places in the 2020 Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup (IATC) selection event. Following the success of the OJC program, in its inaugural season, the invitation from Dorna Sports, S.L. has now been extended to include all 10 OJC riders who submitted their IATC applications.

With more than 400 riders from 19 countries having applied to ride in the 2020 IATC; only a total of 120 shortlisted candidates have been invited to the selection event, due to be held on the 29th and 30th October at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia.

The 10 riders who will fly the Aussie flag include the current bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup points leader, Carter Thompson and current number two Angus Grenfell.

Other riders include Tom Drane, who sits in fourth place in the OJC title fight, Max Gibbons, Glenn Nelson, Reece Oughtred, Lucas Quinn, Cormac Buchanan, Hunter Diplock, and Patrick Bognar.

At the Selection Event, the potential competitors will have their aptitudes on track and their attitude off track tested out. A final decision on who will join the 2020 IATC grid will then be made before those selected undergo an intensive pre-season program of preparation to get ready to tackle the season ahead of them.

Motorcycling Australia’s Operations Director, Martin Port, has expressed just how proud he is to see that 10 OJC riders have been given the nod for the IATC Selection Event.

“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. 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,” said Port.

“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,” he added.

Competitors aged between 11 to under 16 years of age (as of January 1st, 2020) can register their interest to take part in the 2020 bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup Championship by following the link here.
To keep up to date how the ten Australian riders go, make sure you follow the official Oceania Junior Cup Facebook page.

Images: Russell Colvin