Earlier this week MA announced it had, in conjunction with the FIM, granted four local wildcards for the Phillip Island GP, a strong boost for the Aussie scene. That takes our presence to seven riders on the combined MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 grids, definitely one of the best showings in recent years.

Aiden Wagner, leading 600 class front-runner, has secured a wildcard in the Moto2 ranks on Marc VDS machinery. This is an awesome opportunity for Wagner, who is enjoying some excellent form at the moment and has been riding in as many events as possible.

We already knew of his plans to wildcard in the World Superbike event next year, but this one wasn’t really on the radar and it’s a good little surprise. He’s got the runs on the board at Phillip Island, an advantage that could prove crucial come race weekend.

Joining him on the Moto2 grid will be Max Croker, a young teenage talent who has developed his skills in the MRRDA and also tasted success in Speedway both here and abroad.

Our Moto3 presence is bolstered with the addition of Remy Gardner and Olly Simpson.

Source: Red Bull.

As revealed in our earlier interview, Gardner has had aspirations to make the grand prix grid in Australia since the start of the year. He has been making steady forwards progress in the CEV Moto3 class, essentially a mirror image of the premier world championship class, and could surprise on home soil.

Simpson too is another that has dedicated all of his efforts to racing overseas after leaving Australia a few years back. He’s shown up in a handful of classes and is most well-known for his success in the Red Bull Rookies ranks. Additional showings in BSB support classes will have him well-rounded for the challenge on home soil.

We wish the wildcard entrants all the best for the upcoming challenge.

At the time of writing the majority of our Swann Series competitors are on the road or finalising preparations for the series’ penultimate round at Wakefield Park this weekend.

This event will be crucial in the title chase. Can Honda’s consistency be fought off by Yamaha, BMW or Kawasaki or will the four-prong Fireblade attack keep forging forwards?

It’s the series second visit to the rural circuit for the year so everyone will know largely what to expect from the track and their machines.

As has been the trend for the Superbike points leader, there is an injury cloud to consider coming into the weekend, with Wayne Maxwell still recovering from an unfortunate collarbone break. The injury slowed his regular training and preparation routines, and the real test will come on Friday where he turns his first laps.

CycleOnline will bring you all of the news and updates from the event, so be sure to keep an eye on the site in the coming days.

Image: Keith Muir.

The Jerez World Superbike event rated as one of the toughest for the Aussies taking part. A crash for Bryan Staring in the first Superbike race resulted in a DNS for the second, and the first leg of Jed Metcher’s Superstock 1000 assignment was ended prematurely with a crash as he fought at the front.

Matt Davies was our sole finisher, taking 20th place in his return to World Supersport with Andy Offer’s AARK Racing outfit.

To wrap it up there’s a special mention going the way of Jason O’Halloran who snared a win in the hard-fought BSB Superstock 1000 ranks at Donington Park. The Honda rider has battled a definite deficit to other brands of bike this season and it’s a credit to him to deliver a win for the Fireblade.

Josh Waters’ run in Superbike also rates a run, with the Aussie making real forwards progress in the top five, not to mention snaring a category-first pole position in the second race.

That’s it for this week. Keep an eye on our social media accounts for regular updates; just search ‘CycleOnline’ on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.