Source: SAATC.

The 2015 Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup application period will open soon and talented young riders are being invited to apply for selection, with candidates from Australia and New Zealand also eligible for participation for the second staging of the competition.

Potential entrants from Asia, Australia and New Zealand have from 1 August 2014 to 5 September 2014 to apply.

The Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup is an exciting youth development competition which was launched for 2014, acting as a feeder series to the world of motorcycle racing. The 2015 project expands and aims to give riders from Asia, Australia and New Zealand a formal path into competitive road racing.

Run by Dorna, the organisers of the MotoGP World Championship, the eni FIM Superbike World Championship and the FIM CEV Repsol, as well as co-organiser of the MotoGP Red Bull Rookies Cup, the competition provides a spotlight for the most talented young riders in the region.

Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta commented, “This year’s inaugural Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup has seen some good young riders producing some exciting racing. We are pleased to expand the competition for 2015 by opening up participation to riders from Australia and New Zealand.

“The riders who eventually make it through to the competition know that they will have a valuable opportunity and great coaching from Alberto, who has led several riders to the very top level.”

Co-managed by successful talent scout Alberto Puig, responsible for nurturing such talents as Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa and the leader of the successful MotoGP Academy, the competition will sees stars of the future participating in a multi-round series in 2015 on Honda NSF250R Moto3 machines.

The most talented riders who make it through from the 2015 pre-selection event to be held at the Sepang International Circuit from 27-28 October 2014, after this year’s Malaysian MotoGP round, will race in the second edition of the Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup next year.

Riders born between 1 January 1994 and 1 February 2002 are eligible to apply, with the enrollment period for pre-selection running from 1 August 2014 to 5 September 2014.