Source: MotoGP.

Multiple Australian champion Broc Parkes has branded his 2014 MotoGP World Championship experience a dream come true, despite struggling on board the uncompetitive Paul Bird Motorsports entry through much of the year.

Parkes scored nine points during the season and shone on various occasions, ultimately credited 23rd in the standings after tying with PBM teammate Michael Laverty on points.

The high point for Parkes came with an 11th in mixed conditions at Assen, also scoring points at Qatar, Indianapolis and Malaysia.

“At the start of the year we knew we’d be up against it with the bike and the size of the team in general,” Parkes explained. “I was just excited to get the opportunity to come here and race with the best in the world; it’s always been a dream of mine and I’d like to thank Paul Bird for that.

“I gave it everything I had – it’s definitely been an eye opener and I’ve learnt a lot. I feel the stuff I learnt this year I can take into my future, but the machinery we had was quite a bit different to the level of the top teams, which we knew.

“I don’t think we expected it to be such a big difference that it was sometimes, but it’s just one of those things that you want to do your whole life. You get the opportunity, get around the guys you’ve been watching your whole life and it becomes a reality.”

Parkes has been linked with various championships for 2015, including British Superbikes, World Endurance and even the Australasian Superbike Championship in which he won in 2013 (under the FX-Superbike banner).

“Next year I hope that whatever championship I end up in, that I’m going to be on a top bike,” Parkes added. “That’s my plan; I’d rather be a big fish in a smaller sea than the vice-versa [in MotoGP]. Hopefully we can tell what’s going to happen soon.”