An all-access Australian view of road racing, presented by Alpinestars.
It’s been a top week here at Foremost Media headquarters, one of the more manageable ones we’ve had since all the way back in February. And it’s weeks like these that we can assess where we’re at, what the plan is moving forward and work through all kinds of tedious tasks behind the scenes.
And it’s just as well we’ve done such a process this week and will continue into next, because by next weekend we’re on the road for three massive weekends – firstly the MX Nationals rounds in South Australian and Western Australia (for MotoOnline.com.au) and then onto ASBK also in WA.
The next three weekends will set the tone for the remainder of the season as we move toward the halfway mark of the year, not just for us, but for racers, teams, series organisers and the industry alike. It’s kind of like stage one is out of the way and the run home is always important.
Specifically on CycleOnline.com.au we’ve broken some interesting news stories over the past few days. Firstly, the information that the Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) could be headed to New Zealand in 2018 and then, secondly, yesterday when we revealed the high-profile Asia Road Racing Championship wants to host a round in Australia.
While the ASBK isn’t out of the woods by any means following many difficult years – even if things are going very, very positively at this point under Motorcycling Australia’s management – the increased lines of communication between MA, Motorcycling New Zealand and also the ARRC organisers is pivotal.
It’s getting more difficult by the year for Aussies to score quality rides in Europe just from talent alone or even if they do have a decent amount of financial backing, so if we can work with our Asian counterparts via the FIM Oceania and FIM Asia continental unions then we’re certainly on the right path.
If Australian riders could potentially compete here in a top-shelf domestic series and then move onto Asia (or possibly do both), then it widens the opportunity to forge real careers as racers locally – not just financially, but also in the sheer amount of races they’d be competing in any one year.
We’re not ignorant to the point that a heaps of Australians have been racing over there, both experienced and not so much, however the more official relations come, the easier it is to get info on the happenings and vice-versa. Communication is key and we plan to be on the front-foot from a media standpoint moving ahead.
And on top of that, as we’re already beginning to see with the likes of Broc Pearson (Asia Dream Cup) and Tom Edwards (Asia Talent Cup) to name a couple, it’s far more attainable for these teenagers to build international careers closer to home rather than being all the way in Europe.
Times are changing and we need to embrace that, which means work through the more modern pathways to global success for these extremely fresh riders. And besides, not every young racer who packs up and heads overseas before they’re even legal to drive becomes Casey Stoner or Jack Miller, so having top-shelf options in Australasia is beneficial.
Of course, it is a long shot for all this to come together and prior to now it’s not even been a true consideration when you look at the calendars (three rounds of six each clash between the ARRC and ASBK), but it’s by no means unrealistic. And the media relations both MA and the ARRC are displaying are some of the best I’ve experienced.
This is just the beginning, I’m a realist and understand that nothing comes easily or instantly in this sport, but what I’m seeing is definitely promising. In fact, it’s at the point now where we’ll also try to cover Asia and New Zealand more closely than ever.
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