Features 12 Nov 2014

Cycle Central: 45

A front row view of Australian road racing, presented by Alpinestars.

There’s so much to look forward to in Australian road racing right now, not just locally, but abroad as our riders land some of the most sought-after seats in the world. And none more-so than Jack Miller, who becomes the latest Aussie to gain a HRC contract at the pinnacle of grand prix racing.

Fresh from finishing runner-up in the Moto3 title chase after a commanding win at Valencia on Sunday, Miller was straight to work with CWM LCR Honda on Monday alongside Cal Crutchlow with the weight of the world on his shoulders.

But in typical Miller fashion, he took on the challenge head-first, circulated all day long and, according to reports, didn’t put a foot wrong all day. And all that without any electronics turned on!

Miller debuted on the 2014-spec production RCV1000R, which isn’t the most powerful bike in the paddock, but it’ll provide a platform for him to learn aboard before LCR takes delivery of the RC213V-RS, which is closer to the ‘Factory’ entries.

Source: LCR.

Source: LCR.

What’s especially good for Miller is that he’s working with ex-Casey Stoner crew chief Cristian Gabbarini, so he’s got all the right personnel on his side. And, in exactly the same team that Casey himself debuted in MotoGP during 2006.

But aside from the obvious interest of Miller in MotoGP, Ant West will be back with QMMF in Moto2, Remy Gardner has landed a fulltime Moto3 seat in the CIP Mahindra Racing team for 2015 following a number of promising showings this year.

The arrival of Yamaha’s brand new 2015 YZF-R1 has created headlines worldwide, and the good news of course is that Josh Brookes will be on it in the British Superbike Championship and Damian Cudlin in the German-based IDM series. Plus, there’s every chance an Aussie will be on the Yamaha Austria Racing Team in World Endurance.

And let’s not forget the aforementioned Jason O’Halloran on a factory Honda in BSB, Jed Metcher at PR Racing Kawasaki in BSB, plus more. And with riders of the calibre of Broc Parkes, Bryan Staring or Josh Waters yet to settle, there should be lots more good news to come.

Yamaha is also the talk of the town when it comes to Australia, because with the Yamaha Racing Team yet to announce any of its three 2015 riders, many of the country’s best riders are hopeful of picking up a seat.

Current riders (and remember, there is still a round of the 2014 Australasian Superbikes to go) Cru Halliday, Robbie Bugden and Rick Olson would all like to stay there, but the likes of Wayne Maxwell, Glenn Allerton and more have shown interest in a ride there. YRT has some tough decisions to be made, but either way the riders they have to select from existing or otherwise are first-class.

The future of Team Honda Racing remains up in the air, at least publicly, because after fielding no less than four riders in 2014, it’s not expected the team will remain at that size. Funnily enough, despite dominating this season to date, Yamaha seems to be the favoured choice for next year as it stands, but Honda will continue with the SP next year (what series isn’t determined).

Source: Supplied.

Source: Supplied.

Coming off a strong showing in the All Japan Superbike final at Suzuka recently, Josh Hook has been linked to multiple overseas opportunities (and I personally do hope he makes the transition), so that would ease Honda’s selection process.

It’s unclear if Maxwell has a deal at Honda or not after racing as a ‘satellite’ rider of sorts in 2014 with Motul backing, but considering his form over the past couple of years they’d be mad to let him go elsewhere. As for Troy Herfoss and Jamie Stauffer, there’s no doubt they deserve competitive positions whether it be Honda or elsewhere.

Aside from those two factory teams, there’s of course the Next Gen BMW team and Trinder Aprilia team, but we’re yet to gain any concrete information on their plans – if any – for the new year. One thing’s for certain, with the rules of the ASC, racing will be awesome to watch no matter who’s seated where.

Although everybody is speculating between eachother at this point (and some probably know more than they let on), I’d be surprised if there weren’t a number of changes locally, which will only add to the excitement for 2015.

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