On-Track
Jack Miller – MotoGP

Jack Miller ended his 2024 MotoGP season with a solid 13th in Barcelona, in what was his final race with Red Bull KTM Factory before making the switch to Prima Pramac Yamaha for 2025. “I had a good start, settled in there and the tyres stayed good, but I just couldn’t push much and got stuck behind some guys. We signed-off by finishing the race and putting some points on the board. I think both KTM and I wanted more, but I gave my all from the first laps of testing until the last laps today. Onto the next chapter,” he explained.

And that next chapter aboard the Pramac Yamaha has already begun, with the popular Aussie already getting some vital seat time on his new machine at the recent test. Set to be a major asset to his new squad given his experience and proven work developing many different manufacturers, it’ll be exciting seeing how the #43 fares next campaign.

From MotoGP.com – As well as the statement laptime, there was plenty to pull focus at Prima Pramac Yamaha, with new arrivals Miguel Oliveira and Jack Miller debuting on new machinery and the team itself making the much-anticipated switch. They both had the 2024 bike, and Oliveira was P17 after 60 laps, with Miller P22 after 71.

Senna Agius – Moto2

Senna Agius closed out his debut season in Moto2 with a credible 12th in Catalunya to finish 18th in the standings. Starting the finale 10th on the grid, it wasn’t long until he powered into fifth. Unfortunately, his march through the field was halted, however, when he suffered numbness in his right forearm. To his credit, though, he valiantly fought on to complete the bout.

“I had a really good start and on the first few laps, I tried to conserve the tyre. I was able to stay in the leading group quite well. But then, eleven laps before the end, my right arm went to sleep for some reason. I no longer had any control over it and could no longer brake or open the throttle as I wanted,” he lamented.

“I wondered whether I would be able to finish the race at all. So, I just tried to bring the bike home. I’m very disappointed because my bike felt fantastic and the fight for the podium was right in front of me. Getting into it was my plan towards the end. I’ve never had a problem with this physical issue in my life, but something obviously went wrong today. That worries me a bit. Overall, I’m happy with my first World Championship campaign. I did my best and had some good moments. Many thanks to the whole team for all the efforts and work they did for me!”

Setting his sights on making further strides with his LIQUI MOLY Husqvarna Intact GP team next time around, the immensely talented Agius, who banked a memorable maiden Moto2 podium on home soil, will now enjoy a deserved break ahead of what will be a demanding pre-season training schedule.

Jacob Roulstone – Moto3

Jacob Roulstone’s rookie Moto3 term ended on a high note with him clinching an excellent eighth in Barcelona.

Having qualified in ninth, there was much to like about how he rode a measured race and navigated the many challenging situations that inherently come in this wild class. Sitting in 12th with just five laps to go, how the youngster pounced to seize his chance and eventually climb to eighth was very impressive.

“I am happy to finish the season in a decent way. I wish we would have found the pace earlier in the season, but anyway it feels good to finish on that positive note. I knew that Dani was fighting for second, so I tried to get in front of Colin Veijer and Ivan Ortola as best as I could, when I could. He finished second, so I am happy that I could play a tiny part in that success, I am happy for him,” Roulstone reflected.

“It was a bit of a shame to lose the group at some point, but I progressively gained back ground. I am really happy with my season. There were ups and downs, but I am proud about the way I managed to overcome everything. I would like to thank everyone in the team for sticking around me, helping me and giving me the most competitive bike possible in every session and race. I look forward to another season with them next year, and I believe that after a good off-season and preseason training, we will be ready to show our potential for our second year in the championship, and achieve our goals. Thank you to everyone involved!”

Roulstone will now shift his focus to 2025, where he’ll be determined to keep elevating and going from strength to strength in his quest to be regularly battling it out at the top of the category.

Joel Kelso – Moto3

Despite his last race with Boe Motorsports not reaching the heights he intended, it wasn’t all bad, with Joel Kelso’s 14th in qualifying and P12 in the race still being respectable efforts. Struggling at many stages throughout the weekend and unable to match it with the frontrunners, Kelso will now return to Australia to prepare for the 2025 crusade. Changing teams for 2025 to the Level Up-MTA squad, watch for him to right up there, as he aims to be duking it out for title honours.

“It was an easy decision for me to join the Level Up-MTA team. The team consistently demonstrates professional and sporting excellence. I thank manager Alessandro Tonucci for the mutually desired agreement we’ve reached. The 2025 season promises to be exciting as we aim for the Moto3 class crown with a team ready to meet such ambitious goals,”Kelso stated.

Jason O’Halloran – New testing Yamaha role

Experienced BSB star Jason O’Halloran has announced his plans for 2025, as he’ll join the Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official team for the 2025 FIM Endurance World Championship alongside Karel Hanika, Marvin Fritz and reserve rider Robin Mulhauser. After 278 races, 28 race wins and 75 podiums in BSB, the “O Show” is looking forward to this next stage of his career.

“I am extremely excited to join the YART team and become a full-time EWC rider. I have spent many years in British Superbikes, but when I started speaking to the team, it just seemed like the perfect move. I want to thank everybody who made this happen. I cannot wait to join up with the team, and what a team! Endurance World Champions in 2009 and 2023, plus Marvin and Karel are amazing riders, and the team’s achievements speak for themselves,” he insisted.

“I had a lot of success in BSB with Yamaha, so I am excited to get back onto the R1. It has always been the bike I gelled with the best; it suits my riding style, and I love riding it. I had a taste of riding in the EWC in the past and it has always been a championship I wanted to race in. With Niccolo retiring, the timing was perfect, and I cannot wait for the challenge ahead.”

His deal also sees the YART team’s long association with Australian riders continue, which has seen Damian Cudlin, Steve Martin, Josh Brookes, Broc Parkes, Wayne Maxwell and Ricky Olson compete for them. The 2025 FIM Endurance World Championship kicks off on April 17 with the 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans, giving the 36-year-old plenty of time to get dialled for what looms as a captivating season.

Off-Road
Jett Lawrence and Hunter Lawrence – Paris Supercross

Although neither Jett or Hunter Lawrence reigned supreme at the 2024 Paris Supercross, there was still much upside to extract from the showpiece event. Getting some crucial gate drops and testing time on the new bike, it was a terrific weekend to log some data and figure some things out ahead of the new term. In the case of Jett, and he really should’ve been crowned the King of Paris, as he won five of the six races, only for an incident with a lapper while leading the second main event to cost him.

Getting some tremendous starts, looking comfortable in the whoops and rhythms and yet again showcasing why he’s widely regarded as the best on the planet, the masterful phenom left content even if he missed out on defending his title. Meanwhile, Hunter definitely endured a more difficult time at the office. Battling the bike and lacking the comfort needed to perform at his best, the lack of time on the latest offering had a considerable impact on his performance.

Expect the HRC team to get any gremlins sorted out sooner rather than later, as the brothers gear up for a huge 2025.

Up next for the dynamic duo was the AUSX Open in Melbourne, which gave them some extra high-level racing action and offered their loyal fans a rare opportunity to see them on home soil before they return Stateside to prepare for another massive campaign. Hunter took the win, the report is here.

The post Racing news | Aussies Racing Abroad December 2024 appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

On-Track
Jack Miller – MotoGP
It’s certainly been an eventful month for Jack Miller. With KTM announcing they’re replacing the popular Aussie with Spanish star in the making Pedro Acosta, this left his MotoGP career in serious limbo. While Miller is remaining calm about the situation and just wants to focus on recapturing his form, rumours have been flying regarding his future. Initially, there was hope he could join the Tech3 team, but that idea was dashed when KTM confirmed Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini would be under this awning next season.

Then, there were reports linking him to factory Honda, but that door was also closed shut when Joan Mir somewhat unexpectedly extended his contract. Some other potential destinations have now emerged, with him linked with a switch to Gresini Ducati to stay in MotoGP and Ducati’s World Superbike squad, with the latter move appearing to be reliant upon if Alvaro Bautista decides to retire. It’ll certainly be a case of watch this space regarding Miller’s plans for 2025, with much still yet to be determined in this saga.

Some other potential destinations have now emerged, with him linked with a switch to Gresini Ducati to stay in MotoGP…

Senna Agius – Moto2
Despite enduring a difficult weekend at Mugello, talented youngster Senna Agius still extracted the positives. Heading to a track he was unfamiliar with, it was never going to be easy, but he battled on valiantly. Starting 26th on the grid for this one, upside could be gained from how the 19-year-old powered through to claim 17th.

“It was one of those weekends where I struggled to get a feeling for the bike. We tried a lot, and I also changed my riding style to make it better. It’s true that we improved, but we couldn’t keep up with the steps the others were making. It was a head-scratching weekend, but we will learn from it and attack again in Assen,” he reflected.

“We tried a lot, and I also changed my riding style to make it better”…

Jacob Roulstone – Moto3
Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 ace Jacob Roulstone continues to impress in his rookie Moto3 season. Having shown excellent speed in the earlier sessions at Mugello, he qualified in a strong seventh for the Sunday race to put himself in a quality position to secure a good result. Even though his rhythm was halted by the red-flag interrupted race, there was no doubting he had the pace to match it with the frontrunners. Frustratingly, a poor jump from the restart and a late mistake meant ninth was the best he could do.

“We are happy to get another top 10 result, although I am a bit annoyed with myself for the decision to go with the medium tyre, but we learn from these mistakes. We raced well, especially within the first laps, I feel like I have improved in this area since my debut in the class, which is a good thing,” he explained.

“We take away a lot of positives from this weekend, so thank you to my team for their awesome job this weekend. In a couple of weeks, we will go to Assen, a track that I like where I got a podium in the Red Bull Rookies cup, so I’m excited to go!”

We raced well, especially within the first laps, I feel like I have improved in this areaJoel Kelso – Moto3…

Joel Kelso
Keen to put his best foot forward at Mugello, things started nicely for Joel Kelso by qualifying ninth for the main bout. After making some fruitful changes to the bike, all eyes turned to the Sunday in his quest for a podium finish. It wasn’t to be, however, for not only did the red-flag complicate matters, but his tyre selection didn’t work out, in a race where he ultimately claimed a respectable 12th.

“I felt comfortable on the medium tyre. The start was a bit crazy, I lost a few positions, but we were doing good lap times and I started to move forward. However, as the laps went by I started to suffer with the tyre. I was struggling to overtake and to stop the bike, and it’s a shame to end the weekend like that because we had worked so hard during all the sessions. It wasn’t the fault of the set-up of the bike, I suffered with the tyres. Now it’s time to keep working and think about Assen.” Said Joel.

“The start was a bit crazy, I lost a few positions, but we were doing good lap times and I started to move forward”…

Remy Gardner – World Superbike
Kicking off his weekend at his GYTR GRT Yamaha team’s home round with a fourth in the first free practice session, he then built on this to claim third in the second FP stanza. Eager to transfer this momentum into the Saturday, Gardner did just that by banking third in the Tissot Superpole qualifier and leading laps in race one before tyre issues meant he came home in sixth.

An unfortunate DNF following an incident beyond his control in the Superpole race stalled his overwhelmingly upbeat weekend. To his credit, though, the fact he recovered to clinch a credible eighth in race two saw him close his Misano on a relatively high note.

“Not the Sunday we were looking for after a strong weekend. Unfortunately in the sprint race I had to go wide at the start and I lost some positions. I felt then we could have a good race anyway, but I got involved in an incident and that was the end of our race. That finale compromised race two as well as it’s tough to have a good run starting from behind, but I still managed to score some points. I’d like to thank Yamaha for the support, the team for the hard work and all the people who came here to support us,” said Gardner.

“I’d like to thank Yamaha for the support, the team for the hard work and all the people who came here to support us”…

Oli Bayliss – World Supersport
Breathing life into his Misano by grabbing an eighth in qualifying, which was his best of the season, this was hugely encouraging for Oli Bayliss. Although he wasn’t entirely comfortable in the first race due to struggles with front end feel that prevented him from pushing as he wanted, he still recorded a terrific eighth. He then backed this up with a solid 13th in the second race to ensure he took home a handy points haul from the round. Cutting a content figure when speaking afterwards, his immediate aim is to keep making steps in the right direction in his pursuit to enter the top 10 in the championship standings.

“P13 in race two. Clearly, I wish it could have ended a bit better than it did. I struggled a little bit in the second race. However, it’s clear we know where we have to work on moving forward from here,” he stated. “Overall, it was a positive weekend. Thanks to the D34G Racing team and all of our team sponsors for the support. Bring on Donington Park on the second weekend of July.”

“It’s clear we know where we have to work on moving forward from here”…

Jason O’Halloran –  British Superbike
Venturing to Knockhill with plenty of confidence, the early indicators were promising that O’Halloran would carry on his upward trajectory into this round when he qualified second and finished fifth in the opening race. Disappointingly, though, that was as good as it got for the experienced Australian, with crashes in race two and three meaning it was a forgettable weekend in the treacherous, wet conditons.

Looking for an improvement at Donington, his team principal Nigel Snook, knows there’s more to come from the polished veteran, with him commenting: “Jason’s still P7 on 81 points just behind Haslam, but now a bit back from the top five. Just needs a couple of strong rounds now he’s fully at home on his Kawasaki.”

Josh Brookes –  British Superbike
Brookes enjoyed a decent body of work at Knockhill. Showing blistering pace in the dry, Brookes started off by qualifying third. Moreover, there was much to like about how he charged through the pack in the first race from as low as 11th to claim sixth. Mustering 12th and 11th in the second and third races respectively, Brookes was left to rue what could have been if only the weather had been kind despite still performing admirably in the wet.

“At the moment it seems like luck never goes our way when it has the chance to. We were on the front row in qualifying in dry conditions, it then became rain affected and for that moment for once, I would have actually been grateful for it to be dry because we had the speed in the drier conditions to be more competitive. There’s been other weekends in the past where I would have liked it to have rained, maybe change the dynamics to bring things into our favour and it’s just stayed dry. I just don’t seem to be able to capitalise on any situation, and I’m actually just a bit bewildered at the moment. We don’t really have an answer so for now we have to just accept it for what it is at this point,” Brookes lamented.

Brookes then rapidly shifted his attention to the iconic Isle of Man TT event, where he demonstrated what a beast he is on a bike by riding to a sensational second in the prestigious Senior category. “Wow! Second in the 2024 Isle of Man TT Senior. 134 MPH club & 206.9 MPH speed trap record. After the TT I’ve had up until this point, it feels like a win and I just couldn’t be happier. A huge thanks to everyone involved. It’s been a challenging couple of weeks so to come away with a result in the big race is mega,” he gleamed.

“Wow! Second in the 2024 Isle of Man TT Senior!”

Troy Herfoss – King of the Baggers and MotoAmerica
Troy Herfoss continues to catch the eye on his American adventures, as the man who was initially signed to race in the King of the Baggers and Super Hooligans has now added the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship to the list. Showcasing his multifaceted skill set and adaptability, Herfoss even did double duties at Brainerd, with him coming out of the Baggers races in the championship lead while producing an admirable effort on the superbike.

In what was a rollercoaster round full of learning and challenges, as he familiarised himself with the bike and the track, emerging with 9-8 results was a fine effort in the circumstances. Ticking all the boxes and getting through unscathed, Herfoss yet again underlined his class and what a talented rider he is.

Off-Road
Jett Lawrence – Pro Motocross
Despite his 24 moto win streak ending at Hangtown following a nasty crash in the opening race at the second round, Jett Lawrence deserves immense credit for bouncing back in emphatic fashion by notching the overall triumphs at Thunder Valley and High Point. Still able to flex his muscles in the elite 450 class while riding injured from that aforementioned spill, it’s been nothing short of impressive how he’s bravely fought through the pain barrier to reign supreme. Sitting third in the title standings behind his brother and Chase Sexton, watching him duke it out with these two will be fascinating as the championship resumes at Southwick this Saturday.

Hunter Lawrence – Pro Motocross
Currently leading the 450 AMA Pro Motocross standings, how Hunter Lawrence has combined consistency, speed and smarts has been a joy to behold in his rookie term in the premier category outdoors. Securing exceptional overall finishes of 2-2-2-3, this wonderful form has ensured he’s heading the pack in this fiercely competitive field. Never one to rest on his laurels and doing everything in his power to heap the pressure on his adversaries, expect him to keep fighting hard to ensure he maintains on top in the points chase. Ready to come out swinging at Southwick in search of his maiden 450 Pro Motocross overall victory, the iconic sandy circuit looks set to take centre stage for a pulsating battle royale for supremacy come Saturday.

The post Racing News | Aussies Racing Abroad June 2024 appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

With many talented Australian motorcycle racers showcasing their skills abroad in a range of disciplines both on-track and off-road, our latest column focuses on how they’re faring battling it out with the best in their chosen classes. This month we look at Jack Miller, Remy Gardner, Hunter and Jett Lawrence.

On-Track
Jack Miller – MotoGP
Jack Miller secured the 11th fastest time at the two-day MotoGP test in Qatar, with this latest outing full of upside for the popular pilot even if the results weren’t exceptional. Finishing just a tenth off his teammate in Brad Binder, who claimed ninth, there was much to be gained in terms of bike setup, track knowledge and tyre insight ahead of the first round, which will be held at the same venue in a little under two weeks’ time, as Miller will be eager to come out swinging.

“Positive last day here and I’m pretty happy where we are with the bike. I made a few setup changes today and I think we are in the right ballpark to get the season underway. I feel good and looking forward to getting back here to do it all for real,” he explained.

All-in-all it’s been a good pre-season and the boys have done a fantastic job through the winter.

“We still have a few little tweaks to make: motorbike racers are never totally happy! The conditions were tricky away from the racing line; if you make a mistake then it’s hard to come back off the dirty stuff. All-in-all it’s been a good pre-season and the boys have done a fantastic job through the winter with the improvements and I believe we have a very competitive bike to go racing.”

Remy Gardner – WorldSBK (Superbike)
Having achieved ninth in the test prior to the season launching Phillip Island opener, this saw Remy Gardner in a sound position to start off the new term on the right foot. Although plenty of encouragement could be drawn from the #87’s fifth in free practice three and seventh in the Superpole qualifier, his first race was frustratingly ended prematurely when a collision with another rider forced him out early.

We had some good fights in the sprint race and the pace was there, unfortunately we couldn’t finish inside the top three even though we had great speed.

Desperate for an improved Sunday in front of the adoring home fans, his super showing in the Superpole race that saw him battle with the frontrunners before banking sixth set the tone wonderfully.
Come the second race, though, and while the red-flag interrupted race saw him forced to start last following the restart due to him hitting Jonathan Rea’s bike, Gardner produced a smashing charge to ultimately get a credible 12th.

“Well, this weekend wasn’t meant to be. We had some good fights in the sprint race and the pace was there, unfortunately we couldn’t finish inside the top three even though we had great speed. I felt we could make another try in Race 2, but I couldn’t avoid Jonathan’s (Rea) bike and I ended up having some damage,” he reflected.

“The red flag gave us another chance, but I had to restart from the back of the grid. I think this is not good, but rules are rules. Although the guys did a fantastic job on making me able to go out again, the bike was not completely okay but we were still able to score valuable points. It’s a bit of a shame that we couldn’t convert our race potential, but we have to take the positives from the weekend; speed was there and we did a great job. Heading down to Barcelona for the second round of the season.”

Oli Bayliss – World SSP (Supersport 600)
While Oli Bayliss endured an injury interrupted off-season, the Aussie began his third year in World Supersport with a solid 12th in pre-season testing at Phillip Island. Serving as an ideal precursor to get his campaign underway on home soil, the talented Australian bagged a brilliant fifth in race one, which was especially positive given his struggles with the bike and the weather on the Friday. Although he couldn’t find his groove on the Sunday, posting a 10th place was a strong effort, thus meaning he ended the opener sixth in the championship.

“Today went not too bad. I did struggle a lot in the first couple of laps to find a good rhythm. However, after a couple of laps I found some pace…”

“That’s round one in the books and the D34G Racing Team and I walked away with a tenth-place finish in race two today and we leave the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in sixth place in the championship,” he posted.
“Today went not too bad. I did struggle a lot in the first couple of laps to find a good rhythm. However, after a couple of laps I found some pace and then could start to push how I wanted and put some laps together. Anyway, was a pretty good first weekend of the year with the team. Now time to rest up and get fully healed for Barcelona at the end of March. Thanks so much to the team for their efforts and I have to say a huge thanks to the Australian crowd for coming out this weekend. It’s awesome racing at home.”

Off-Road
Jett Lawrence – AMA Supercross
Breathing life immediately into his February by registering a scintillating victory in Detroit, Jett Lawrence became the first rider to win two races this season in the stacked 450 class. Racing out of the gate to dominate proceedings, there was no stopping the #18, who led every lap of the main event to stamp his authority on the series. He then followed this up with a third in Glendale, where he admirably carved through the field after a challenging start to secure a deserved third to regain the red plate.

Jett importantly maintains his grip on the championship lead seven rounds in.

Next on the agenda was Arlington, and all the signs were there that another win was on the cards, as Lawrence stormed to the holeshot and surged to a commanding lead. Disaster then struck for the sensation, with two late spills ultimately meaning fourth was the best he could manage.

“There were ups and downs tonight in Arlington—lots to focus on. It was going good, then it went bad, then it could’ve been good, but then it went even worse! So, fourth place. I have to clean up a few things, but it’s always good to learn some things. I’m looking forward to Daytona this weekend. It’s been a while since I’ve raced there, so I’ll enjoy that Daytona sun,” he told the HRC website.
Jett importantly maintains his grip on the championship lead seven rounds in.

Hunter Lawrence – AMA Supercross
This month has seen Hunter Lawrence make some huge strides forward in the elite division, with him now looking right at home duking it out with the plethora of heavy hitters out there. After riding to a notable eighth in Detroit, he then really turned things up a notch in Glendale to produce his best result of the season to cross the line in fifth on a tricky track. The #96 was then arguably even better in Arlington, for he looked comfortable running upfront and battling with KTM star Aaron Plessinger on his way to banking fifth to equal his season-best finish.

“It was a good night, a lot of positives to take away. It’s a bummer—on the last lap, I was doing everything I could to pass AP [Aaron Plessinger] for fourth; live and learn. Two fifth places in a row, and ending up there after being in the wall, so that’s something I can be happy about. Thank you to the team; we’ll keep on plugging away,” he recalled.

The post Racing News | Aussies Racing Abroad March 2024 appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

Jack Miller – MotoGP
Starting his September with a solid eighth in the heat at Catalunya, this was a good way for Jack Miller to end the weekend considering he missed Q2, meaning he had to start the Sprint and the main race 13th. Desperate for improvement on the Sunday after 16th in the Sprint, the team worked their wonders by making some crucial bike changes, with these the key catalyst to him being able to push through the pack to claim eighth.

Struggling again at Misano on the Saturday, 15th in the Sprint was the best he could muster. Frustratingly this was as good as it got for Miller, who was bundled out of the race by Michele Pirro when running 14th. The first ever Indian Grand Prix was next on the cards for the KTM ace, and Miller began the round strongly by charging from 16th on the grid to secure an admirable 7th in the Sprint.

The Sunday posed a new set of challenges for the number 43, as he battled for feel and grip, which ensured he wasn’t able to keep up with the frontrunners to ultimately come across the line in 14th.

“Not too high, not too low this weekend,” he reflected. “I struggled today. I didn’t have the grip I needed from the get-go both front and rear. I couldn’t carry any corner speed at all. I had a bit of contact into turn one as well, which wasn’t ideal and then tried to make up too many positions in one go on the second lap. It was an uphill battle from there and our pace wasn’t anything like Saturday. It is a bit of a head-scratcher. Fingers crossed we can work on what we found out this weekend and what we tried at the Misano test for Motegi.”

Joel Kelso – Moto3
Even though his 2023 campaign has been littered with ups and downs, Joel Kelso deserves credit for sticking at it, as he continues to illustrate his talent.

The highs this month have included him bagging another front row spot in qualifying at Catalunya and from how he had some fantastic early pace in Misano. Meanwhile, the negatives have arisen from him admitting he needs more aggression in the races and from him crashing out in India.

“I got caught up in turn one and then made four positions on the first lap  but I had contact with a rider into turn three and that ruined my exit. When I opened the gas – race over,” he told the team’s website. “I’ve been struggling a bit with being aggressive in races so that first period before the crash was a small positive from today. We’ll be ready for much better in Japan. We’ll be fighting.”

With plenty to work on and the Darwinian motivated to close the term on a good note in the upcoming outings, it’ll be intriguing seeing if he can piece it all together starting in Japan.

Senna Agius – Moto2
Back in action in Moto2 filling in for Darryn Binder on the Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact team, Senna Agius’ stint started in unsatisfactory fashion at Catalunya, with him falling short of his expectations on an eventful weekend that ended with him crashing out on the Sunday.

Eager to put that effort behind him, a fired up Agius demonstrated some notable pace in qualifying at Misano – coming in less than eight-tenths from the pole sitter. An early crash in the race ruined his momentum, however, with the youngster high siding to end his day. Leading the European Moto2 Championship, Agius will recalibrate his attention to this competition in his quest to reign supreme come season’s end.

Jacob Roulstone – Red Bull Rookies Cup & JuniorGP Moto3
Fresh from finishing fifth in the hugely competitive Red Bull Rookies Cup following his 6-10 race finishes at Misano, in a year that’s seen him make some brilliant progress, Jacob Roulstone has been rewarded by earning a ride in Moto3 for 2024 with the outstanding Red Bull KTM Tech3 outfit.

Following in the footsteps of the likes of Miller, Miguel Oliveira, Brad Binder, Deniz Oncu and Pedro Acosta, who have all come through this KTM pathway, the Aussie prospect is in good hands to continue along on his upward trajectory.

“I’m really excited to be joining Red Bull KTM Tech3. They are a very experienced and professional team that have brought through many great riders. Stepping up from the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and FIM JuniorGP won’t be easy, but with the team, the people around me as well as my own determination, I believe we can have a decent rookie season,” a delighted Roulstone explained.

“Thanks to Herve, KTM and Red Bull for this amazing opportunity. I cannot thank my family enough for all their support so far. I want to end this year strong and then I cannot wait to get into the 2024 season already.”

Josh Brookes – British Superbike
After enduring some difficult rounds, plentiful positivity could be extracted from Josh Brookes’ round at Oulton Park. Kicking off this stop on the calendar with fifth in qualifying, this set the tone for him to enjoy a handy weekend at the office aboard his FHO Racing BMW. Going on to notch a trio of fifth place scores, this represented a quality, consistent event for Brookes, which was a much-needed uplift given his recent struggles.

Situated seventh in the championship hunt, Brookes offered some fantastic insight in his post-race debrief, stating: “We scored three fifths this weekend, which is an improvement on previous rounds; I wasn’t even going to be greedy, I was hoping for a podium this weekend rather than a win.

“The three fifth places are the best we could achieve, the last race was strong and I stayed close to the lead group for the longest period of time, but we’re still missing a couple of tenths, and we have to be realistic that the lap times I’m able to do aren’t good enough to rival the podium. We have got to keep our heads down, keep working away and improving. I think coming to a track we’ve been to already this season meant we didn’t have to make adjustments, we just set the bike up the way it was before and focused on the electronics.

“People forget we’ve got a new bike this year, so every time we go to a new track none of the information we have from years before is valuable, and in fact it does us an injustice as those settings compromise our progress because the bike is different now. I think people just assume you’re going to go to the next round and pick up where you expect and it’s proven not to be like that, as we’ve had a lot of work to do. But I think coming back to a circuit we’ve been to before has boosted our results and the next two rounds we’ve also been to before, which I anticipate to work in our favour.”

Jason O’Halloran –  British Superbike
While he was unable to carry over his sensational form from Thruxton to Oulton, Jason O’Halloran did his best throughout on his way to claiming two eighth places and a ninth. Aside from experiencing a minor bike issue, the team and rider were largely left searching for answers as to why they were missing that little something extra compared to their competitors.

“It’s been a difficult weekend really. It’s not ideal but I did the best job I could – we’ve just been lacking something and no matter what we did we couldn’t improve the feeling,” he lamented.

“I finished all the races which is positive, so we’ll go through everything and try to understand. Donington is a different track compared to Oulton, so hopefully we can turn up there in a different place, reset after this weekend and go again.”

Onwards and upwards will be the order of the day as the series heads to Donington Park, where an uptick in performance will be on the cards for O’Halloran, who sits sixth in the standings, and the McAMS Yamaha squad.

Jett Lawrence – AMA Pro Motocross and SMX
Having achieved the absolutely remarkable feat of going undefeated in his debut campaign in the 450 class of AMA Pro Motocross, Jett Lawrence immediately altered his focus to the new SMX Playoffs. And he didn’t disappoint by reigning triumphant in the three race format, with his clutch effort at the finale at the LA Coliseum to go 1-1 ensuring he got the job done and took home the one million reserved for the winner.

“On the track it’s a one-man show, but behind the scenes it’s so many people,” he explained after his SMX success. “The team is awesome, and that’s what allows Chase, me and the other riders to have the best equipment we can. That also goes for my trainer O’Show [Johnny O’Mara], my dad was a big key, and also my brother – every day we were grinding to try and be better. To go out and get that [championship] is not only a massive achievement for me; it’s a big thank-you to the people who support me and helped me get to where I am now.”

Up next for the Aussie sensation is the Motocross of Nations in Ernee, where Australia, whose team consists of the Lawrence brothers and the immensely experienced Dean Ferris, head in as one of the favourites.

Hunter Lawrence – AMA Pro Motocross and SMX
After wrapping up the 250 AMA Pro Motocross title at the final round to accompany his 250 Supercross crown, Hunter Lawrence was ideally poised to join his elite sibling to claim SMX glory. But sadly it wasn’t to be for Hunter, as a nasty crash in qualifying at the LA Coliseum forced him to miss the night show due to him aggravating an existing back injury.

“Unfortunately, Hunter Lawrence will not take part in tonight’s motos at the Los Angeles SMX round. The reigning AMA Motocross 250 champ and 250SX East champ was already banged up from a hard fall in free practice yesterday. Then in today’s second timed qualifying session, he landed wrong from a jump and aggravated his back to the extent that he’s in too much pain to race. Get well soon and great job on an amazing season,” read the team’s statement.

His focus will now immediately shift to his recovery ahead of the MXoN at Ernee as well in his search to be at full fitness for the prestigious event.

Mitch Evans – MXGP
Mitch Evans’ MXGP season ended in disappointing fashion, with the superbly skilled pilot having to miss the last two rounds courtesy of his previously injured wrist flaring up. In immense pain and wisely opting to head to Belgium to begin treatment, sadly the injury also meant he had to take himself out of the running for the MXoN, which came as another brutal blow to end what’s been a hugely challenging term for the departing Kawasaki star.

“It’s a real shame to miss the final race of the season and my last race with the team; however it is time to take the right steps to heal correctly. I would like to thank Kawasaki and the team for their understanding and patience and for always believing in me this year. Unfortunately we weren’t able to achieve the results we both deserved, but I thoroughly enjoyed my time working with such professionals. I want to wish the team and Romain the best of luck for Matterley and the Motocross of Nations,” he insisted.

Have we missed anyone? Leave a comment letting us know who you’d like to see us keep you up to date with their international two wheeled successes! 

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Jack Miller – MotoGP
With MotoGP roaring back into action in August, Aussie star Jack Miller had mixed results in the first two outings since the resumption of the racing. Immediately looking good at Silverstone, the Red Bull KTM maestro began his weekend briskly on his way to claiming second in the sprint.

All the signs were positive that Miller was in for a great race when he shot off the line to lead the early exchanges, but he subsequently dropped back as he struggled with grip. His case wasn’t helped when a collision with Maverick Vinales caused him to have an off-track excursion. Miller crucially regrouped and recalibrated his focus to claim a solid eighth.

Next on the cards was the team’s home race in Austria, and things were positive on the Saturday again for the #43, who showed notable speed to power himself to fifth in the Sprint. Unfortunately, though, he couldn’t transfer his speed into the race, where he made a customarily fast start only to suffer rear traction issues, which caused him to fall all the way back to fifteenth.

“I started the race good and tried not to kill the tire in the first laps. I wanted to build up the temperature as smoothly as possible. It wasn’t to be. I noticed that I didn’t have the drive grip that I needed, so then I was just trying to manage the best I could with riding style and everything like that. I think the biggest thing for us is taking a step back, going back to our old setting and maybe finding a little bit of a different direction that works for myself,” he recalled.

Joel Kelso – Moto3
Returning to the track following the break, Joel Kelso didn’t find things easy at Silverstone and in Austria even though some encouragement could be extracted from his fifth and ninth in qualifying. Encountering issues in the dry conditions for the British GP and then getting his Spielberg scuppered by a long lap penalty when he was pushed wide by another rider to claim a pair of frustrating 16th places finishes, all eyes will turn to Catalunya, where improvement will be on the cards for the Darwinian.

“A tricky one. We got off to a good start and then I was happy with my pace, but I was missing just a little bit extra. At one point I had a track limits warning and then when I was passed by someone I was pushed onto the green zone. I wasn’t expecting a penalty because of the circumstances, but for some reason they gave me a long lap. That was disappointing because I could have stayed in the group ahead for the top ten. I felt strong on the bike, but lost four seconds for that lap. I didn’t deserve it, but we’ll keep working,” he mused after the Austrian Grand Prix.

Jacob Roulstone – Red Bull Rookies Cup & JuniorGP Moto3
Excited to get back to racing in the Red Bull Rookies Cup in Austria, young sensation Jacob Roulstone eased into the weekend while he adjusted to the bike and the conditions.

While banking sixth in qualifying was a fine reward for his methodical approach, sadly his opening race was ruined by a high side on the first lap. But, to his credit, he regathered himself for the second stanza to secure an admirable seventh to end the round on a bright note.

“Pretty difficult Sunday for me in race two of the Red Bull Rookies Cup. I got a poor start then that gave the main group a chance to get away, and I wasn’t quite able to match the pace in the early laps. Was able to finish ahead of the second group to finish in seventh,” he expressed.

“But there are always positives to take away from not the best of weekends. Another good qualifying and continuing to improve my race craft. Thanks to Santi Aparicio and all the Red Bull Rookies Cup crew as always for the amazing job. With only one round left in three weeks’ time in Misano, Italy, I’m going to be giving it all and try to secure third in the championship.”

Josh Brookes – British Superbike
Moving into the Thruxton round of BSB and keen for an excellent result, it disappointingly wasn’t to be for the Aussie, with grip problems plaguing him all weekend. Although he and his team pushed hard to find solutions to improve the situation, nothing they tried appeared to work for Brookes, who could only muster uncharacteristically poor finishes of 15th, 17th and 22nd.

“I can’t really explain what’s happened this weekend as I don’t really know. Obviously we would expect far better than the results this weekend, there’s no way that would be a result we could even imagine expecting to have. From the very first session of the weekend the BMW wasn’t performing to the level that it needs to in order to be competitive and I could feel that straight away. These things happen sometimes, and we work through processes and adjust the bike accordingly and make it work again, but it really didn’t improve at all. We made some small steps, but nothing that would have put us in a position to be competitive,” he lamented.

Jason O’Halloran –  British Superbike
Jason O’Halloran showed what an exceptional operator he is at Thruxton by enjoying a sublime day at the office, as he recorded victory in all three races. Having banked pole position, the experienced veteran then put on a masterclass on the Saturday, with him rarely troubled, as he coasted to the win.

The second race saw him put in an outstanding showing, for he carved through the field with precision and intelligence to reign triumphant.

The Aussie then saved the best for last by flexing his muscles emphatically. In scintillating form from the off, he put on a spectacular effort to come all the way from tenth to grab the win on the final lap to cap off his magical weekend perfectly. “That’s the best weekend of my career, coming off the back of a couple of average rounds to bounce back like this is exactly what we needed,” gleamed O’Halloran.

“We’ve clawed a lot of points back this weekend with pole position and three race wins, which is incredible. I’m now Yamaha’s most successful rider in terms of race wins and have 26 BSB wins, which is just incredible. And I’ve won eight of the last nine races at Thruxton which is another amazing stat! This is exactly what the team needed and I think we can carry this momentum forward now to Cadwell Park, which is my favourite race of the year.”

Jett Lawrence – AMA Pro Motocross
The mastery of the Aussie wonderkid continues, as the 20-year-old has not only wrapped up the 450 AMA Pro Motocross title in his rookie term in the class, but also maintained his remarkable unbeaten streak. With just one round remaining to complete the perfect season, all eyes will be on Ironman to see if Jett Lawrence can get the job done to round out a blistering crusade.

Rising to the top whenever challenged and typically getting his starts spot on, he’s hardly given his adversaries a sniff. The way he’s controlled races and keeps riding with a maturity and discipline that belies his tender years has also offered further reason for praise.

Pushing when he needs to and riding within himself to manage races, the moto world will be watching with anticipation to see if he can seal the deal and get through the campaign without dropping a single moto to etch his name in the history books.

Hunter Lawrence – AMA Pro Motocross
Stepping up when he needed to, Hunter Lawrence has overcome his recent adversity and the uprising from the hard-charging Haiden Deegan to be in the box seat to be crowned 250 MX champion. Boasting a 22 point lead over Justin Cooper heading into Ironman, there’s every reason to suggest he’ll stroll to victory if he can just keep it on two wheels.

Grabbing the overall victory in three of the last four rounds, it’d take a brave man to bet against the elder Lawrence brother, who’s fully focused and a mentality monster, getting it done in the finale.

“Going into the last race of the season, we know where we stand, and we know we won’t be changing anything drastic. We have a gameplan, and we’ll focus on running that out to the end. I’m looking forward to finishing this series strong and focusing on SuperMotocross,” he insisted.

Mitch Evans – MXGP
Despite not making the progress he desires in August by bagging a pair of 12th overalls, Mitch Evans deserves credit for sticking at it and keeping on striving for more. To start off with Sweden, and things actually began solidly in the opening moto, where he got a good jump out of the gate to find himself sixth, only for arm-pump to ensure ninth was the best he could muster.

The final moto was then annoyingly hindered by the wet conditions that forced him to come in for new goggles on two separate occasions. Venturing to the brutal sands of Arnhem was next on the agenda for the Kawasaki speedster, but this latest stop on the calendar was a tough one due to sickness for Evans. The technically proficient pilot still warrants applause for valiantly toiling on to achieve a respectable 12th overall courtesy of his 10-15 moto scores in a round where he also registered an impressive second in the warm-up.

“Today started with a good feeling in warm-up and I got two decent starts, but just didn’t have the flow. That was okay for P10 in moto one, but the sickness I’ve been dealing with all week kicked in halfway through race two; I just didn’t have anything left in the tank and was riding round with my tongue in the chain. I showed good speed considering I was laid up all week so now it’s time to recover and carry the momentum into the last three rounds,” Evans said.

Have we missed anyone? Leave a comment letting us know who you’d like to see us keep you up to date with their international two wheeled successes! 

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On-Track
Jack Miller – MotoGP
Although Jack Miller ended June with a frustrating crash at Assen, there was still plenty of upside attached to his month of action. Kicking things off with a solid seventh in Mugello in a race where he was in podium contention before struggling to keep the speed, he then backed this up with a super effort in Germany. Grabbing an impressive third in the Sprint, the Red Bull KTM star looked exceptional at the famed Sachsenring circuit.

Flying out to a wicked start in the Sunday race, all the signs were there that he could secure a podium, but a moment early on dropped him back. Battling on fiercely while he regrouped and toiled for grip, sixth was the best he could achieve to round out a solid weekend of work. With the first stage of the season now completed, Miller, who occupies seventh in the standings, spoke insightfully on how things have gone after the recent German GP.

“Not the way we wanted to finish the first phase of the season. I felt good and got a decent start. I ran deep into Turn 1 on the brakes and tried to pull a tight line to square-up and drive out on the exit but it was a couple of lean degrees too much, too early. We’ll take the positives. The bike was good again here and we fixed the vibration we had from yesterday with just a couple of little changes. It was a big gain,” he insisted.
“Anyway, two Sprint podiums and a main race podium as well as challenging at the front most of the time: I think it has been a good season so far”.

Joel Kelso – Moto3
Joel Kelso continues making positive strides in Moto3, with him clearly getting back on track with his fitness and feeling more and more comfortable running the pace near the head of the field. Qualifying in an eye-catching second at Mugello only to be relegated back to 21st due to a penalty for irresponsible riding, this was a tangible indication of his progress. Unable to translate his speed over to the race courtesy of a spill when trying to blast through the pack, Kelso quickly turned his attention to his team’s home round in Germany. Building on his form from Italy, Kelso banked another second in qualifying to flex his muscles before riding to a solid ninth in the race in this stacked class.

“We are almost there! I’m hungrier than ever to chase down that podium, but no complaints going into the summer break with a top ten finish. I’ll be working hard over the break to come back stronger,” he declared.

Remy Gardner – World Superbike
In the only event on the WorldSBK calendar in June, Remy Gardner endured a mixed weekend at Misano. Beginning the round soundly by snaring ninth in race one, things took a turn for the worse in the Superpole race, where he was involved in an incident between two other riders that forced him to crash out. After getting the all-clear to ride the final encounter, a battered and bruised #87 admirably fought on to claim a credible 10th, a result that leaves him 12th in the championship.

“What happened in the Tissot Superpole race was a pity, we had a good start and I felt good with the SCQ tyre and reckoned we could have done a good race to gain a better position on the grid. Unfortunately we didn’t get past turn two and personally I didn’t feel 100 percent physically after the crash. Anyway, we tried our best and we saved some points, let’s focus on Donington ahead,” he reflected.

Oli Bayliss – World Supersport
Having had his fair share of issues, as injuries have scuppered his campaign, Oil Bayliss made some steps in the right direction at Misano. Following an unsatisfactory start to the weekend to grab 13th in race one, the team and Bayliss ended on a high to punctuate his improvement, for he found some quality speed and comfort on the bike, as he logged 11th, but importantly had top 10 pace.

“Honestly it was a good weekend. We still have to perform better in qualifying, but the level of the field is really, really close,” said the Aussie. “In race one I made a little mistake on lap three and I lost touch with the group ahead. We made a good step forward in warm-up and in race two; I was able to recover many positions and once I got up to 11th place, the gap with the rider ahead was a bit too big to close it. Still, we showed great pace throughout the weekend and we were finally in a better physical condition, so if we keep working in this direction I’m confident we can get better results soon, too.”

Jacob Roulstone – Red Bull Rookies Cup & JuniorGP Moto3
Young talent Jacob Roulstone continued his striking recent momentum by producing some more polished rides in the Red Bull Rookies Cup. Stamping his mark by powering to his first front row in qualifying by virtue of his P3 in Mugello, this was another boost for the Aussie flyer. As the rain rolled in for the opening race, Roulstone maintained his composure in the treacherous conditions to finish seventh in the opener. The second stanza then saw him produce a fine rally to latch back onto the lead group, with him ultimately coming home in ninth – less than half-a-second behind the victor. Next up was Assen, and he yet again underlined his prowess with an outstanding fourth in race one and a sensational third in race two.

“Another podium in the Red Bull Rookies Cup. Battling to the end to finish in P3, just 0.117 from P1, and it feels really good. Got an okay start but needed to push hard and get into my rhythm. It was a very hot race so I tried to manage that as well as I could to make sure I could finish the race strong. I am super happy with this and to have both my mum and dad here is extra special,” he gleamed.

Josh Brookes – British Superbike
Fresh off his podium at the Isle of Man, Josh Brookes headed to Knockhill, where he scored points and was inside the top 10 in all three races, but left feeling unhappy due to problems with setup throughout. Brookes, who remains well and truly in the title fight, as he sits just 27 points of the leader, will now recalibrate his focus ahead of Snetterton.

“It’s been a difficult weekend to comment on really, it’s not been the results we wanted. We stayed on and finished all the races apart from a slip off this morning in warm-up, so in one way we’ve got points in all three races and were in the top ten. But it’s also been a frustrating weekend as we’ve not been able to make progress and fight for the higher places,” he lamented. “We’ve tried to remain positive, make changes, always fight to improve even if it’s just one sector, or one area of the bike to improve – but it just doesn’t seem to come here at Knockhill. We’ll now regroup as a team after a busy period with BSB and road racing, and we can head to Snetterton where hopefully we can look forward to some better results.”

Jason O’Halloran –  British Superbike
Possessing blistering speed and looking the goods at Knockhill for round four of BSB, Jason O’Halloran rode wonderfully to put himself on the box in two of the three races. Banking third in the Sprint and third in race two, everything was on track for him to cap off a dream weekend, but an untimely off meant his Knockhill ended in disappointment. Preferring to remain upbeat when assessing his body of work, it was good to see him extract the positives.

“Overall, it’s been a strong weekend with two podiums and good pace. We worked hard over the weekend and made steps in the areas we needed to,” he told the McAMS Yamaha website.

“The last race we got to the front and I knew I had to push but unfortunately bottomed out, which lifted the front and I crashed. It’s such a tough championship now with so many fast bikes and riders so you have to take some risks to get the rewards and that’s what I tried today and sadly it didn’t pay off. Still, two podium finishes is really positive and I can’t wait to get to Snetterton.”

Off-Road
Jett Lawrence – AMA Pro Motocross
Oozing confidence, charisma and incredible skill, Jett Lawrence’s step up to the 450 class has been nothing short of incredible on his way to winning all four overalls and every single one of the eight motos contested so far. Although the field is depleted, this shouldn’t detract from his achievements, for his riding, composure and speed has been a joy to watch.

His most recent outing at High Point offered a further testament to his quality on a day where he still went 1-1 despite the track being absolutely brutal, him having a small tip over and the 19-year-old getting challenged hard by the legendary Ken Roczen. Showing no signs of letting up, watching how long he can maintain his streak will be captivating in his quest for his maiden premier class championship.

Hunter Lawrence – AMA Pro Motocross
While Hunter Lawrence’s form in the 250 class hasn’t quite matched that of his brother, the elder sibling has been extremely formidable himself by winning all four of the overalls in his class with 3-1 scores.

Looking a cut above his rivals in terms of concentration, maturity, consistency and racecraft, it’s been admirable how well he’s negotiated the rounds, which have often seen him face adversity in the first moto and then crush the second one. Sitting pretty atop the standings and on the path for glory, it’d take a brave man to bet against him adding the 250 outdoors title to his 250SX East crown.

Mitch Evans – MXGP
Going from strength to strength with every passing round as he gets back to full fitness from his thumb injury, Mitch Evans’ uptick in form aboard his factory Kawasaki has been fantastic to see. The last two rounds have been especially encouraging in Germany and Indonesia, for he’s made major ground with his starts, pace, stamina and overall riding in the ultra-competitive MXGP class. Riding to seventh overall at Teutschenthal and eighth in the sweltering heat of Sumbawa, the signs are great that he’ll be back duking it out for podiums sooner rather than later.

“It’s nice to finally be in the battle again and going home with a smile on my face. We have made a lot of progress lately, both with my bike settings and my fitness. For a long time I wasn’t able to do full training, but pain-wise I’m now 100% and last week I changed my training program and I already feel much better,” he insisted.

Have we missed anyone? Leave a comment letting us know who you’d like to see us keep you up to date with their international two wheeled successes! 

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Jack Miller – MotoGP
Although Jack Miller couldn’t end his season in style at the MotoGP finale at Valencia on his Ducati farewell, there’s still been many positives to be gained from his 2022 season.

Starting the race second on the grid, the number 43 mixed it with the frontrunners for the majority of the race and was looking on track for a potential podium finish. Sadly, however, disaster struck for the charismatic Aussie when he crashed out with roughly four laps remaining while in third.

“I’m really sorry about the crash today. I was pushing hard because I knew Aleix [Espargaro] didn’t finish the race, and 25 points would put me ahead of him in the standings, which was my goal,” Miller lamented. “Unfortunately, the start didn’t go exactly as I expected, and it was really hard to overtake today, except by taking advantage of other people’s mistakes. However, I am very happy for Pecco [Francesco Bagnaia], who has had an extraordinary year, never giving up and proving to everyone that he is the best. My last race with Ducati brings with it some sadness because, with this team, I had a great time and built fantastic relationships with all the people in the team, but now I will focus on my near future.”

Ultimately ending the campaign fifth in the standings having bagged one win and five podiums, the 27-year-old will now immediately recalibrate his focus to 2023, where he’ll be eager to get cracking and assimilate rapidly into life with the Red Bull KTM Factory team.

Remy Gardner – MotoGP
Remy Gardner concluded his MotoGP crusade on a positive note by finishing an outstanding 13th in Valencia. Despite starting way back in 20th, Gardner settled into his groove quickly and rapidly went about carving his way through the pack. Making short work of those ahead of him with a series of incisive passes, there was much to admire about his efforts that eventually propelled him into 13th.

“My start was so-so but after that I was on a mission and was picking them off. I got up to 14th and was about to pass Alex Marquez when he crashed and I had to pick it up and almost crashed myself,” explained the Tech3 pilot. “I lost two positions there but, well, still finished in the points. The rear tyre had dropped but I just kept my head down. I tried to fight as hard as possible, especially against Raul! It was quite fun and I had a decent burnout at the end! A good way to end the year. Onto the next.”

Although his debut term in the premier class was littered with problems, the former Moto2 champion still showed on many occasions he had what it takes to compete at the level even with him being faced with plenty of adversity. Gardner will now turn his attention to 2023, where he’ll be switching to the World Superbike paddock to race for the GYTR GRT Yamaha team.

Senna Agius – Moto2
Recalled to the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team for the final round due to Sam Lowes’ absence through injury, Senna Agius yet again underlined his talent with another wonderful effort. After qualifying way back in 19th as he worked his way into the weekend, the 17-year-old wasted little time finding his rhythm for the race, as he produced a masterful display to blast through the pack on his way to claiming an exceptional ninth.

Grasping his opportunity with both hands once more, the man who bagged second in the European Moto2 Championship continues to demonstrate what a bright future he has ahead of him.

“Was really tough to make quick overtakes early in the race today that cost me, but we have to be happy with what we achieved this weekend. After these four appearances in the world championship, I’ve gotten a taste and I’ll be back for much more soon,” he insisted.

“Again, a really big thank you to the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team for this opportunity. It has been so surreal to walk into such a working environment. It has been amazing. Being overseas has helped me develop a lot as a rider and a person. I’ve learnt a lot this year, especially doing the four rounds in the world championship (Moto2) and it really helped me mentally prepare for taking on new situations, how to handle pressures and keep my focus on the job.”

Joel Kelso – Moto3
Joel Kelso rounded out his 2022 by recording a 21st at Valencia, with things not going his way. All things considered, though, Kelso should be proud of his efforts in his first full Moto3 campaign, where he displayed flashes of brilliance and highlighted what a gifted rider he is.

While his season was scuppered by injury, which is why he ended the championship in 23rd, the Darwinian is primed for a full assault on Moto3 next season, where he’ll be lining up for CF Moto Pruestel GP. Delighted at the prospect of working with his new team and learning from ultra experienced former racer, Tom Luthi, 2023 looms as an exciting year for Joel Kelso.

Oli Bayliss – World Supersport
Oli Bayliss made another positive step at the penultimate round of the World Supersport championship at Mandalika by claiming a pair of 14th place finishes. Getting out to a solid start in the opening race, this left him believing a top 10 was a real possibility. But as the race progressed, his hopes faded due to his tyres deteriorating, with him admitting he chose the wrong compound.

Despite missing the warm-up due to a technical problem that hindered his preparation for the second stanza, Bayliss valiantly battled on to a credible 14th again, with him happy with his switch to the harder tyre that enabled him to at least feel more comfortable.

Up next for Bayliss was the season ending race at Phillip Island, where he was desperate to put on a show for the home fans in attendance to close his year on a high. Crucially familiar with the famous track, which was a pleasant change for the 19-year-old, Bayliss performed admirably. Faced with treacherous wet conditions in race one, he brought his Barni Ducati home in a solid 12th. Then, for the final race of the season, the youngster produced a wonderful ride to finish eighth, despite getting off to a shocking start, to close out his 2022 with a confidence boosting performance.

“That’s a wrap on the 2022 FIM Supersport World Championship,” Bayliss stated. “The Barni Racing Team and I finished the year off with an eighth place, after starting from 13th on the grid today. In terms of the race, I got one of the worst starts in my life. I managed to gain some positions back. I believe if I got a better start and a better qualifying position I could have possibly stayed with the front group. It has been a good day. Eighth place is ok. In saying that, as a racer you always expect more of yourself.”

“It has been a tough year, but at the same time it has been a big learning year. To be able to be on the back of some of the guys we were racing with today who have probably been here more times than I have was a good way to end the year. Thanks to everyone for coming to the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit over the weekend. It was good to put on half a show for everyone today. I hope everyone enjoyed today and the whole weekend.”

“I can’t wait to return to the Island in February in 2023 for round one of the WorldSBK Championship and hopefully get a better result for you all. Massive thanks to my team for the year. I can’t thank them enough for everything they have done. It’s been great working with them all, and of course, our team sponsors.” he finished.

Jacob Roulstone and Harrison Voight – Red Bull Rookies Cup and Moto3 Junior World Championship
Obtaining valuable experience with every passing round, young Aussies Jacob Roulstone and Harrison Voight were back on track for the Moto3 Junior World Championship and the Red Bull Rookies Cup.

To start with Voight, and he ended his season in style by bagging fantastic finishes in both the Red Bull Rookies and the JuniorGP. Recording outstanding 10-8 finishes in the former and going 6-4 in the latter series, Harrison Voight produced two excellent efforts that were full of upside.

“A big thank you to the Red Bull Rookies Cup for these past two years together. It was a childhood dream to be given the opportunity and take part. Achieving a podium was something I can’t describe after all the injuries I’ve had in the last 12 months,” Voight explained. “Now it’s time to go home to reflect and remember the memories that were made this year because it sure was one to remember. Can’t wait for the next chapter to begin.” he said

He then added this on his JuniorGP exertions: “Pretty happy to end the season off with PB results in JuniorGP. Race one I struggled to maintain the pace that the front group had when my front tyre dropped. Race two we changed a little bit of the setup and it was much better to stay in the fight for the podium the whole time and having the second fastest lap of the race. I would like to thank the team for these past three years. Together we have grown a lot. I will always remember these years together.”

Meanwhile, for Roulstone, there were many positives attached to his work in both classes, with him showing fantastic speed to frequently mix it with the frontrunners even if his pace didn’t entirely translate into the results.

Feeling confident and fast at the JuniorGP, Roulstone eye-catchingly pieced together a fine charge from the rear of the field to secure 13th in the first race. Then, for the second race, a coveted top 10 finish appeared on the cards. But when the race was stopped courtesy of an on-track spillage, he was forced to settle for 11th as that’s where he was at the time of the red flag. Bagging a 13th and a 15th in the Rookies, Roulstone, who struggled with rear grip, was left content with his efforts in the stacked class, as he concluded his very productive 2023 brightly.

“Not the results I was hoping for in the final round of the Red Bull Rookies in Valencia but what a great experience it has been this year. And I’m pleased to confirm that I have been invited back to compete in 2023. I would like to thank all the Rookies staff for giving me another year to continue to learn and prove myself in this class,” he reflected. “Overall a challenging season but I’m very excited for next year and ready to get into working for next year’s season.”

Matt Moss – Paris Supercross
After a brilliant weekend of racing, Matt Moss was crowned Prince of Paris Supercross, with him steering his Bud Racing Kawasaki to glory at the showpiece. Securing the crown with an exceptional performance on the Sunday to win all three races, the Aussie impressively claimed his first win of any kind in six-and-a-half years to break his drought.

Handling the conditions with aplomb and keeping it on two wheels, there would be no denying the experienced veteran, whose pass on Jace Owen in the last main event propelled him to victory.

“This feeling is why I race, you can’t beat it. It was great, but I just want to make a special mention to Bayden Blanchette, if it wasn’t for you mate, I wouldn’t be in the position I am. So I am forever grateful for you believing in me from the start. You’ve had two years of having to put up with me, but thank you mate. There needs to be more people like you in our sport. So this is for you, I love everything you’ve done for me,” gleamed a jubilant Moss afterwards.

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