The 2015 Pramac Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix touches down at Phillip Island this weekend, as the MotoGP World Championship goes down to the wire in a two-rider battle between Movistar Yamaha teammates Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo. Aside from the main attraction, there are a heap more things to watch for from an Aussie perspective, making up today’s edition of Countdown.

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8. Kent’s crowning:
Leopard Racing’s Danny Kent arrives at Philip Island with a great chance of becoming the first British world champion since Barry Sheene in the 500cc class in 1977. Kent needs to leave Australia with a 50-point advantage over the rider in second to secure the 2015 Moto3 World Championship. The gap to Enea Bastianini currently stands at 56 points, so simply finishing ahead of the Italian will secure Kent the title.

7. Wildcard challenge:
We will see a pair of Australian wildcards line up in the Moto3 race this year, getting their one-off chance to race on the international stage within the world championship. Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup regular Olly Simpson will be on track again after crossing the finish line 28th last year, while domestic racer Matt Barton will compete just weeks after winning the final round of our national ASBK series. Life won’t be easy on private bikes, but you can guarantee there will be maximum effort put in.

6. Phillip Island Championship:
Not only will we see the world’s best grand prix racers on track this weekend. Fans will have the opportunity to witness Australia’s top domestic superbike racers in action as part of the Phillip Island Championship (round one was held during the WorldSBK weekend earlier this year). The likes of Glenn Allerton, Wayne Maxwell, Troy Herfoss, Jamie Stauffer, Cru Halliday, Mike Jones and more will deliver some fascinating superbike racing, as will the hard-fought supersport division.

5. Next-gen Gardner:
In his first full season of world championship racing Remy Gardner has impressed as part of CIP Moto, riding a Mahindra in the Moto3 ranks. He’s been knocking on the door of scoring points on multiple occasions, so considering he raced at home last year this weekend could be the one where he breaks through. There’s no real home track advantage for Gardner since he’s been based in Europe for much of his career, however the history of his family at the Phillip Island Circuit should be enough for him to rise to the occasion.

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4. Aussie replacements:
Added interest for Aussie onlookers this Friday when bikes hit the track will come in the form of having Anthony West back in MotoGP as part of the AB Motoracing team, plus Josh Hook making a guest appearance for the Technomag Racing Interwetten team in Moto2. They’re at different ends of their careers as West has over 15 years on the world stage, as meanwhile Hook has only done two Australian GPs as a 125GP wildcard back in 2010 and 2011. Regardless, good showing on Sunday will do wonders for their grand prix futures.

3. Increased manufacturers:
We’re kind of getting used to the added factory involvement this season, with Suzuki and Aprilia both returning to Phillip Island this weekend as official outfits. The capable combination of Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales have been competitive on the GSX-RR upon return to the premier class, while Aprilia Racing Team Gresini will enter the Australian round with Alvaro Bautista and Stefan Bradl, who replaced Marco Melandri in the latter stages of the season.

2. Miller’s homecoming:
The opportunity to race a premier class grand prix at home is one that few people experience in a lifetime, but Jack Miller will have that opportunity this weekend. There’s been no doubt he has the speed to belong in MotoGP after transitioning with LCR Honda direct from Moto3 for 2015, however crashes have caused plenty of concern along the way. Still, if things go his way and he keeps it on two wheels come Sunday, points are definitely within reach. Remember, he won the Moto3 race at home one year ago.

1. Rossi vs. Lorenzo:
Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo head to this weekend’s 2015 Pramac Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island separated by just 18 points with three races to go. Rossi has won four races this year, but just as importantly has been on the podium 14 times, while Lorenzo’s tally sits at six victories and nine podiums. Last year Rossi topped a dramatic Phillip Island race after Marc Marquez crashed out, finishing over 10 seconds ahead of Lorenzo in the runner-up position. A similar result would be huge for Rossi’s title chances.