bLu cRU Oceania Junior Cup

*Please note - this championship is not part of the Merlin Darwin Triple Crown. Your next opportunity to see the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup in action will be at Morgan Park Raceway, Queensland, 5-7 August 2022.*

Since its inception in 2019, the FIM Oceania and Dorna Sports - supported bLU cRU - Oceania Junior Cup (OJC) has become firmly established as a stepping-stone to the international racing arena.

The OJC concept was created by Motorcycling Australia as a method of setting up a junior race academy that would produce a nurturing environment for young riders to experience road racing at a national level, to learn, improve and showcase their talents.

Even before the inaugural OJC season commenced in 2019, Dorna Sports officially recognised it as a Road to MotoGP category. As a result, a formal pathway was created for the most outstanding OJC riders to progress to other international categories, such as the Asia Talent Cup and Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup. The Dorna commitment provided 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.

Even though it is only in its fourth season, OJC has already earned a formidable reputation as a breeding ground for stars of the future with 60 individual kids earning the road racing craft in that time.

The 2022 season will see nine new riders debut with the return of 11 riders from the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup 2021 year. Further, some 19 OJC graduates and current riders are racing overseas in 2022.

The OJC formula is simple, but effective. Competitors aged from 11 up to under 16 (as of January 1, 2022) compete against each other on identical Yamaha YZF-R15 race-prepped motorcycles, equipped with control Dunlop tyres, Öhlins suspension, YamalubeYamahalube and DID chains.

In the interests of making the entry-level pathway into motorcycle road racing as hassle-free as possible, the OJC package includes transport of the motorcycle to and from each round of the series, along with professional preparation and maintenance during and between events. This removes barriers to entry for competitors and families who may not have the logistics or technical expertise to prepare their own motorcycles.

OJC riders also receive (and keep!) Shark branded helmets, Ricondi leathers, boots, gloves and a team uniform as part of the deal. SHARK helmets joined the OJC at the start of 2022 and of course safety is their focus, with many elements learned from racing incorporated into the road helmet range.

One of the benefits of the OJC is the emphasis on young rider education throughout the year, as well as specialised training camps. In 2022, OJC competitors will be treated to an intensive training program as part of the junior road racing academy program and conducted by former 500cc Motorcycle and World Superbike winner, Garry McCoy.

Competitors receive tuition on racing and riding techniques as well as undergoing gruelling fitness training. They will also be educated on off-track aspects of the sport, such as career planning, media and sponsorship. The OJC season includes one official two-day test, a twoday coaching academy and six televised rounds of the championship. The OJC has a massive learning curve for rookie riders and thanks to Mototrack Accessories, every rider will have use of a SpeedAngle GPS Lap Timer. For Steve Thibou at Mototrack Accessories, it’s an opportunity to help OJC riders be their best.

Future hopefuls can register their interest to receive further details regarding the 2023 Season. To register your interest in the program head to: www.asbk.com.au/about-asbk/oceania-junior-cup/

BLU CRU OCEANIA JUNIOR CUP TOP 5 AFTER ROUND 3

Pos. No. Name Points

1 14 Harrison WATTS 176

2 41 Hudson THOMPSON 163

3 80 Cameron RENDE 152

4 7 Sam DRANE 141

5 13 Marcus HAMOD 132

New Ducati Multistrada V4 Rule All Roads

Get ready to discover the fourth Multistrada generation. Sportier and more touring, stronger for off-road use and easier in the urban environment. Lightweight and compact, with the new 170 HP V4 Granturismo engine for a sporty and exciting ride on mixed terrains. Ready for long journeys thanks to the navigation-system that can be viewed on the dashboard and the innovative rider assistance radar-system, it will offer you excellent riding comfort and a main service-interval after 60.000 km. And when the asphalt ends the fun will continue thanks to the high ground clearance, the electronic suspension, the surprisingly fluid power delivery and the perfect ergonomics for stand-up riding. After your adventures you will feel great ease and control in daily use thanks to the advanced electronic ride assist systems and the ability to adjust the seat down to 810 mm in height. New Ducati Multistrada V4: ruling all roads has never been easier.

Displacement 1,158 cc (71 cu in) | Power 170 hp (125 kW) @ 10,500 rpm | Torque 12.7 kgm (125 Nm, 92 lb ft) @ 8,750 rpm | Dry weight 215 kg (474 lb)

Discover the MY21 Ducati Range at ducati.com/au

If you seek different, this is the holiday for you.

NEVER MISS NEVER MISS OUT ON THE OUT ON THE ACTION! ACTION!

FOLLOW US FOLLOW US ONLINE! ONLINE!

CLICK ON THE ABOVE ICONS TO FOLLOW US!