The Magnificent 7: The local racers taking part in the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix
DON'T know who to cheer for now Casey Stoner's retired? Here are the seven Aussies that are set to tear up Phillip Island this weekend.
RETIRED MotoGP champ Casey Stoner may be on the sidelines this year, but we've still got an excellent chance of hearing Advance Australia Fair on the podium at the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.
Here's what you need to know about the seven Aussie stars in action at Phillip Island this weekend.
Moto3
JACK MILLER
No.8 - Caretta Technology-RTG (Honda)
Age: 18
Hometown: Townsville, QLD
One of our rising stars, Miller has hit the headlines more for crashing (and breaking numerous collarbones) than he has for top results. But the crashes have come from wringing more speed out of his sluggish Honda than it is truly capable of. The North Queenslander has yet to reach the podium but, on a circuit where the rider matters just as much as horsepower, he could make his first trip to the dais on home soil.
Rating: Will be among the frontrunners. If he can stick with the fast guys on the KTMs, expect him to be in the fight for the podium at race's end.
ARTHUR SISSIS
No.61 - Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM)
Age: 18
Hometown: Adelaide, SA
2013's been an up and down year for the former speedway junior. Despite being in one of, if not the best teams in the class, Sissis has struggled to recapture the form that saw him stand on the podium at Phillip Island last year. Has the machinery under him, but needs to extract more from himself. A pre-weekend chat with SPEED's two-wheel expert, 500cc and World Superbike race winner Kevin Magee did him the world of good last year; let's hope Magoo sits down with him again.
Rating: Has the ability and machinery to stand on the podium, just needs to get everything right over the weekend.
CALLUM BARKER
No.47 - Barker-McVey Racing (Honda)
Age: 16
Hometown: Hatton Vale, QLD
Took out second place in the MRRDA's Moto3 championship this year and has had a busy week. Last Friday he flew out to Malaysia to take part in the selection trials for the Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup for riders aspiring to make it to MotoGP. Only arriving back in Australia a day before heading to Phillip Island, he will be keen for a good showing this weekend to make up for not quite making the cut.
Rating: The wildcards are traditionally up against it when the circus comes to town. His machine, despite his team's best efforts, will struggle against the world's best. In a fiercely competitive class, if he can crack the top 20 at race's end it will be like a victory.
LACHLAN KAVNEY
No.75 - Bullet Racing (Honda)
Age: 22
Hometown: Nanango, QLD
Also making his debut on the world scene, the South Burnett rider started out on historic machinery that has more power than the Moto3 Honda he's been riding in local championships. Finished second in this year's Australian Moto3 Championship on a bike whose retro factory Honda livery stays true to his historic roots. Definitely has a racer's brain, as the following tweet from Friday shows:
Think Marquez got the shits when I tried to follow him on the pit scooter during track inspection, show me your ways!
— Lachlan Kavney (@LKRacing75) October 17, 2013
Rating: As above, a wildcard gig on a privately entered and prepared bike is tough. A finish inside the top 20 on Sunday would be as good as a win.
Moto2
ANTHONY WEST
No.95 - QMMF Racing Team (Speed Up)
Age: 32
Hometown: Maryborough, QLD
West has been Australia's journeyman on the MotoGP ladder since 1998, has had success in the 250cc and Moto2 class despite never being on a top bike. Earnt a reputation for being one of the quickest riders around in the wet, winning the 2003 Dutch 250cc GP in dismal conditions, and reaching the podium at Sepang Moto2 last year. Rode out of his skin to beat Marc Marquez out of second place at Phillip Island last year.
Rating: Hasn't had the greatest year on a bike that isn't the most competitive in the field, but if he doesn't have any machine troubles expect to see him in the top 10 - maybe the top 5.
MotoGP
DAMIAN CUDLIN
No.50 - Paul Bird Motorsport (PBM)
Age: 30 (turns 31 on Saturday)
Hometown: Taree, NSW
Cudlin has ridden in almost every major two-wheel class there is; MotoGP, Superbikes, World Endurance. Tough as nails, he overcame a serious spinal injury to carve out a solid international career. Stepped into a ride at Paul Bird Motorsport two races ago when their regular rider got a call-up from Ducati. Still learning the bike - which hasn't exactly been a shining star in the CRT class - but knows the track. Will want to finally make his debut at the Aussie MotoGP after crashing out in practice two years ago.
Rating: Has track knowledge and can ride a bike, but the learning curve this weekend is still pretty steep. A solid qualifying run and finishing the race will be the primary goals this weekend, anything better will be a bonus.
BRYAN STARING
No.67 - GO&FUN Honda Gresini (Honda)
Age: 26
Hometown: Perth, WA
It's been a baptism of fire for the Sandgroper, who made the colossal step up from the near road-registerable Superstock 1000 Cup class last year to a fire-breathing MotoGP CRT bike. Has had to adapt to new tracks as well as his new machine. The steep learning curve has led to more than a few crashes this year. This weekend he returns to a track he knows well and has success at in the past. It's a recipe for his best result of the year.
Rating: Has a great chance of scoring more points and besting his highest finish of 14th.