Riders from 24 nations are making their way to Aragon in Spain for next week’s Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Selection Event, hungry for the chance to take part in the 2012 Cup.

From around the globe, from Japan to Brazil, Indonesia and New Zealand, Mexico and South Africa as well as the length and breadth of Europe the fastest teens all want to take that first step to grand prix stardom.

Once again the Selection Event allows those invited from the online applicants to show their skills on track in front of the panel of experts.

Over 100 riders will each get two sessions during a day of testing on identical machines and around half are then asked to attend a second day when they again show their skills so that the panel can decide on the small group of up to 15 that will be invited to join the Rookies Cup in 2012.

It is a very tough selection process, half the riders get their first chance on Monday October 10th with the 2nd half going on track on Tuesday. Those selected from the first two days are then asked to remain for the final selection on Wednesday, 12 October.

The list of those who are invited to join the 2012 cup will be published shortly after as will the list of those riders retained from this year’s Cup. The entry for 2012 is likely to be 24.

The online entry has been even larger this year as the Cup continues to gain strength and international coverage as the prime entry point for the world championship. A point emphasised by Johann Zarco’s victory in the Grand Prix of Japan.

Zarco was the first Rookies Cup champion in 2007. More than 50 TV stations around the world carried the 2011 Rookies Cup.

Australian applicants for next year’s Rookies Cup who have been invited are Matthew Barton, Matthew Davies, Remy Gardner, Olly Simpson and Corey Turner.