Youthful talent Reid Battye is one Australia’s hottest emerging prospects who’s beginning to make a name for himself, wrapping up this years Under 300 Supersport title in the Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK), as well as contesting the Asia Talent Cup along with a wildcard appearance in the WorldSSP 300 Championship. CycleOnline.com.au recently tracked down the teenager to get his thoughts on a range of topics.

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Being the 2017 Australian Under 300 Supersport champion…

To be the 2017 Australian 300 Supersport champion, I was basically over the moon when it happened. Last year racing the championship I was fifth for the year, it made me really hungry for 2017 and to win the championship and to run up front. To win the championship, I was so excited and happy, and also thrilled with my performance for the year. I can’t thank my whole team enough, my mum and dad especially for helping me out throughout the year and also throughout my whole racing career.

Racing the Asia Talent Cup this year…

This year contesting the Asia Talent Cup was a big step for me, like going overseas and racing in all these different countries against some really awesome riders as well. I learned a lot as well being in the MotoGP and WorldSBK paddock, it was just a shame about the results – this year I think my best result was 11th. It was good overall, but I was still a bit disappointed with my results for the year.

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Making a wildcard appearance at the Jerez round of WorldSSP 300 Championship…

Racing in Jerez was crazy – it was an awesome experience. I can’t thank the BWG Kawasaki Italy Gremaldi Team enough for giving me all their help and the chance for me to race in the wildcard round. It’s a shame about qualifying, I ended up crashing on lap three, so I didn’t get any time in to qualify in an ideal position. But you know, the race started off okay, I started to make up a few positions and then I got caught up in a pack of riders – I didn’t really get too far up into the positions that I’d like to, but it was awesome racing in the world championship against the fastest riders in the world. It’s opened up a few doors for next year as well, so I’m looking forward to it.

Racing internationally at such a young age…

At this age, it’s an awesome experience – I’ve seen so much stuff that not many 16-year-olds would see. Racing overseas, we saw a bit, but I was there for one thing only – and that was to race. My head and mind was all on that, so yeah, it was an awesome experience – it’s crazy. It’s another world compared to racing here in Australia.

Plans for 2018…

At the moment my plans for 2018 are not official, so I can’t really put them out there yet. But we might have something planned for next year to race overseas.