Features 8 Jan 2015

Top 10: 2015 silly season switches

Australians swapping seats when the new season gets underway.

Australian racers have emerged all over the world for 2015, picking up some of the most sought-after rides in the business on competitive equipment. CycleOnline.com.au compiled this Top 10 list of riders joining new teams worldwide with the details we have so far.

Source: LCR.

Source: LCR.

1. Jack Miller to CWM LCR Honda (MotoGP):
This is huge news for Australian motorcycle racing, with Miller landing a coveted three-year HRC deal that will see him contest the 2015 MotoGP season on board the production RC213V-RS. Don’t expect too much in the way of results just yet, however this is the perfect springboard for his future.

2. Wayne Maxwell to Yamaha Racing Team with YMI (ASC):
After winning dual titles with Honda last year, Maxwell has made the stunning jump to Yamaha for this year to campaign the 2015 YZF-R1M. We’ll soon find out whether his gamble is the right one, or if he should have stayed put in red.

3. Glenn Allerton to Yamaha Racing Team with YMI (ASC):
With three ASBK titles to his credit, Allerton’s arrival at Yamaha came as no surprise. It was good timing following the apparent exit of Next Gen and BMW, so expect him to be a genuine ASC title contender alongside his teammates and the factory Hondas when the season commences.

4. Broc Parkes to Milwaukee Yamaha (BSB):
One year on uncompetitive machinery in MotoGP was enough for Parkes, now headed to BSB as teammate to countryman Josh Brookes and believed to be a real title threat. Experience will count, and Parkes has plenty of that on his side. Plus, who wouldn’t want to ride a factory R1 in the world’s toughest domestic series?

5. Jason O’Halloran to Honda Racing (BSB):
It’s been a long time coming since 2009, but O’Halloran has finally secured a factory BSB seat with Honda Racing – the very team that Alex Lowes won the 2013 title with. O’Halloran has plenty of Superbike seat time last year, so expect him to hit the ground running from round one in Honda’s return to the category.

Source: Honda Racing.

Source: Honda Racing.

6. Josh Waters to Halsall Suzuki (BSB):
After winning two races last year, Waters is coming of age in BSB and Suzuki has stuck by him with a place at its new official team, Halsall Racing. As a two-time ASBK champion and a wealth of time in the UK now, Waters should live up to expectations in 2015 as long as the bike is competitive enough in that trim.

7. Billy McConnell to Smiths Racing BMW (BSB):
Many years in Supersport finally resulted in McConnell winning the title in 2014, which prompted the team to reward him with a Superbike ride on board a BMW. It should be a strong package and he’s in a familiar environment, so we look forward to see him taking on the cast of Aussies this season.

8. Remy Gardner to CIP Mahindra (Moto3):
Hard work and persistence has paid off for the Gardners, with Remy landing a fulltime Moto3 World Championship berth on an official Mahindra entry. He’s shown his talent on numerous occasions and is coming from the Spanish CEV series, so in time the results will come.

9. Josh Hook to TSR Honda (JSB):
On paper this is a very unique move for Hook, but with TSR’s strong ties to HRC, he’s in an exceptional position to advance his career from this point. Think back to the ’90s and even earlier when riders regularly homed their craft in Japan – right in front of the factory talent scouts and on first class machinery.

10. Damian Cudlin to Yamaha Motor Germany (IDM):
The eldest of the Cudlins has a strong history competing in Germany, winning the 2010 Supersport title, and having much success on various Superbikes over the years. Now, he has a gig on the new R1 in the high profile Yamaha Motor Germany team and will no doubt be in the title race.

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