Max Croker to ride in Moto2 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix after last-minute call up

AUSTRALIA will have seven riders on the grid across the Australian MotoGP, Max Croker doing an 11th-hour deal to secure a Moto2 wildcard ride.

Aussie lands late call-up for Aus MotoGP

AUSTRALIA will have seven riders on the grid across the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix on Sunday, with Max Croker doing an 11th-hour deal to secure a Moto2 wildcard ride.

The 16-year-old Hunter Region racer was initially handed a wildcard berth, along with Aiden Wagner, into the Moto2 class, but had to pull the plug on his plans after a sponsor pulled out at the last minute.

Then, this week, the phone rang. A 13-hour car trip later and he is at Phillip Island ready to make his world championship debut.

He will be riding for Italian team Tasca Racing, who split with replacement rider Riccardo Russo after last weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix.

“This came about on Tuesday afternoon. Tasca Racing rung us up and asked us to ride for their team,” Croker told SPEED. “We’ve accepted the ride and are very excited.”

Watch every MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 practice session on Friday at the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix from 9:55am AEDT, LIVE in HD on SPEED. (Foxtel channel 512)

Croker has shown potential both on the tarmac as well as dirt speedway. Last year he won the MRRDA 125cc Championship as well as the Solo U16 250/350cc Speedway Championship, and this year has seen him qualify for the World FIM Speedway 250cc Championship in Poland.

Despite his impressive CV, his goals for this weekend are modest.

Max Croker.

“I think there’s no real expectations, just to stick with some of the permanent guys who are racing in the world championship.

“I think that’s a realistic goal.”

Croker will join fellow Australians Wagner and middle-class veteran Anthony West in the Moto2 class this weekend.

World title contender Jack Miller will lead the Australian charge in the Moto3 class, where he will be joined by wildcard riders Olly Simpson and Remy Gardner, son of 1987 500cc world champion Wayne Gardner.

In the big race, Australia’s hopes will rest on the shoulders of Broc Parkes.

Originally published as Max Croker to ride in Moto2 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix after last-minute call up