Australians competing overseas isn’t anything new, however the scope in which we cover them certainly is. More so than ever before in history do we have access to our homegrown racing internationally, whether it’s via press releases, social media or team and series websites.

With our very own talent contesting major series around the world from MotoGP, WSBK, BSB, AMA, IDM, EWC and many more, we have a massive task in keeping up with it all. Luckily enough, Aussies are particularly good at getting the word out and we’re striving to break new grounds when it comes to covering their results and news online.

MotoGP newcomer Bryan Staring is ensuring a continued local following of the sport’s premier category.

This factor is vitally important when you consider the lengthy breaks in the national schedule, as well as the fact that the number of professional teams and riders participating in domestic road racing is strikingly small compared to the span we experience in dirt bikes via our partner site at MotoOnline.com.au.

So far in the two weeks that Tobes has been in the hot seat as managing editor at CycleOnline.com.au, we’ve eclipsed any previous records the site personally held when it comes to visitor statistics. It seems Australian fans are seeking news and features about our guys overseas (as well as locally) and we’re increasingly able to deliver from day to day.

Of course there’s a long way to go as we refine the process between international and Australian coverage, but it’s no doubt been a positive month to date that’s by far exceeded my own expectations. As I’ve said to many before in the industry, I’m certain a well presented online media outlet will seriously benefit the sport, it’s just a matter of building over time.

We’re also fortunate enough to have the direct comparison of monitoring the stats of MotoOnline, enabling us to gain strength in areas that suit both sites collectively or individually. They attract different demographics and have slightly different aspects that need to be attended to, however for the most part the sports are similar in many ways.

Last week CycleOnline.com.au also launched our members’ newsletter, CycleOnline Daily. We’re delivering all the day’s news direct to our members’ inboxes, meaning access to Australian content is easier to access than ever before. Simply click this link, submit your details and you too will receive our updates each afternoon.

Much of my section today has included info about this very site as we await the continuation of the ASBK and FX series respectively, particularly to outline our prospects and generally keep you guys updated on the progress we’re making. I’m confident the best is definitely yet to come after a superb initial response, but for now, here’s Toby with his weekly input to Cycle Central!

Nicholas Waters continues his relationship with Honda in 2013 as part of the Asia Dream Cup. Image: Andrew Gosling/TBG Sport.

It’s great to see Honda Australia help out Nick Waters in getting a start in the Asia Dream Cup. Nick had an injury slow him down a fair bit in the Prostock class last year and as the Australian lineups were finalised for 2013 he was left, like brother Brodie, without a ride. It’s a good chance to show what he can do, albeit on a bike a little smaller than he has been riding. He has said he is committed to getting himself prepared for the challenge and we think he’ll be up to speed quickly. Josh Hook had some great results racing in Asia in 2012 and has said in the past it’s a good way to learn some new tracks and test racecraft against the region’s best.

Continuing on the direction of Aussies overseas, last weekend saw WSBK and BSB rounds in the heat of Aragon and the cold, wet and windy clutches of Thruxton. With the addition of Mark Aitchison to the lineup, which featured a full complement of classes for the first time this season, Australia is represented in every class. Of course it wasn’t an ideal beginning for Atcho who faces a fairly steep climb to make the Effenbert Liberty Ducati 1098R a competitive package. The team knows this though and so does he. It’s not a short term project and here’s hoping they will have learnt a lot and be able to apply some of it for Assen.

In the Superstock 600 classes we had two riders competing, with Adrian Nestorovic putting in a terrific effort to come back to fifth after crashing in qualifying and Mike Jones managing a points finish in his first race with his new Honda team. We’ll be catching up with Mike shortly and talking to him about how he’s adjusting to life in Europe. Zac Levy put in a top ride to come through to sixth place in the first European Junior Cup race of the year. It’s a natural feeder series to WSBK’s stock classes so here’s hoping he can continue these results on the CBR500R for the whole season.

The weather really played havoc with the Thruxton BSB weekend. Josh Brookes was his consistent self with a podium finish but he was incredibly frustrated not to be able to work to the team’s strategy of a strong finish on the harder tyre as safety cars slowed things down. It was a tough weekend for our other Josh – Josh Waters – who had a fairly big crash during the race. Fortunately, after seeing a specialist earlier in the week, he’s confirmed that he only suffered minor ligament damage to his hand, and no breaks. BSB has a weekend off before Oulton Park and he should be back on form for that one.

We’ve got a long wait until the next ASBK event so most of the work will be done behind the scenes as the teams put in the hours at the workshop. At this time of the year we’d normally be heading to Darwin, but that has of course been moved to later in the year so that the ASBK and Australian Supercross events can join forces. Yarrive Konsky has been in Darwin this week to finalise a few more details so we can expect some more news about the event in the short term.

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