The Grand Prix Corporation is billing the 2013 event the ‘New Era’ in MotoGP with the absence of the retired Casey Stoner.

The countdown is on to the 2013 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island from 18-20 October, with 100 days until the event weekend that will herald a new era in the sport.

The retirement of home favourite Casey Stoner will see the focus switch to the engaging battle between the factory Honda and Yamaha squads, along with the standout satellite machines.

The return of Valentino Rossi to a race-winning seat at Yamaha and the emergence of rookie sensation Marc Marquez are just some of the talking points that will make the third-last GP of the season one of the most anticipated.

“In this new era of MotoGP, all eyes will be watching with great anticipation to witness the crowning of the new King of Phillip Island,” said Australian Grand Prix chief executive Andrew Westacott.

Australia will still be capably represented in the premier class ranks, with 2010 Australian Superbike Champion Bryan Staring showing a competitive streak on his GO&FUN Gresini Honda CRT machine.

The highly-entertaining Moto2 and Moto3 classes will also be on track, as will a host of Aussie riders competing in the exhibition Superbike/Prostock and Superstock races. The Australian Supercross Championship will also make a return.

“With five separate categories of racing all featuring Australian riders on one of the world’s most picturesque circuits as well as two championship rounds of Supercrosss, we have a fantastic line-up for fans this October,” Westacott concluded.

The world championship classes will feature the regular free practice and qualifying sessions prior to their respective grands prix.

The Australian support classes will contest three races each across the course of the event.

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