We have Aussies scattered across the world, making us proud in their two wheeled disciplines. Ed has us covered with his monthly Aussies Racing Abroad International race news for Aussies...
With many Australians showcasing their skills abroad in a range of disciplines both on-track and off-road, this column focuses on how they’re faring battling it out with the best in their chosen classes. Aussies racing from MotoGP to AMA Motocross.
On-Track
Jack Miller – MotoGP
Kicking off his May at Le Mans, a venue where he’s enjoyed success in the past, Jack Miller’s eighth in the Sprint was a solid effort to set him up for the Sunday. But unfortunately, the Red Bull KTM speedster struggled with rear grip, resulting in him crashing out even though there was no clear indication of what he did wrong in the specific section he fell in.
On to Catalunya, and it was another tough one for the popular Aussie. While seventh in the Sprint was solid, the race didn’t go to plan, for Miller’s early off at turn 10 ruined his hopes. “Obviously extremely disappointed. Let the team down and let myself down. We are trying to be better and stop these silly mistakes. I just trusted the front too much, too early and I tried to carry the corner speed as I had done all weekend but the track conditions were different this weekend. Without warning it disappeared. There was not much I could do. A tough one,” he lamented.
“It had been nice running with the boys again, we just need to get that confidence in the front up again. We’ll keep working. It’s a testing time in my career but with the right people around me I know I can right the ship and come back stronger in the races to come.”
“I’m not keen on signing any pieces of paper with the results I’ve had so far”…
To compound issues for the out-of-form Miller, KTM confirmed he’s getting replaced by 20-year-old Spanish sensation Pedro Acosta. The timing came at a terrible time for the #43, right after he’d qualified 19th at Mugello, giving him no chance to reverse his slump to remain in orange.
When asked about the situation, Miller remained philosophical about the whole thing, responding: “I’m on Job Seeker at the moment, looking for a new job. Obviously a clear decision from them [KTM], he’s doing a fantastic job as he has done all year. He’s an amazing rookie and, as we all know, one of those generational talents. So for them to do that is a logical step.
“I’m not keen on signing any pieces of paper with the results I’ve had so far. Don’t get me wrong, there’s not a massive list of people lining up trying to give me one, but we’ll have a spot, I’m not too stressed. I’d rather have some better results to try and help myself a little bit more.”
Senna Agius – Moto2
After enduring a challenging start to his first full Moto2 term, all Senna Agius’ hard work, patience and persistence paid off in Catalunya. Bagging a brilliant fifth in this stacked class, this was a fantastic effort and a tangible reward for keeping at it.
The result was made all the more impressive considering he had to execute a Long Lap Penalty that scuppered his podium ambitions. “That one felt good. To finally run there and have something to fight with was amazing,” he insisted. “I’m happy with this fifth place! After a good start, I was able to stay there and fight, unlike in the first races. We had made a change halfway through the weekend that focused the bike on being able to attack on Sunday.
“I’m annoyed about the long lap penalty that I received due to another rider’s mistake”…
“I continued to fight my way forward and P5 is a big step forward compared to the last races. However, I’m annoyed about the long lap penalty that I received due to another rider’s mistake. After the warning, I changed something and rode super carefully, but was then pushed off track and penalised. I probably could have done even better today. It’s a good result that we deserve, and we’ll come to tracks that I haven’t been on before and we’ll have to face other situations. But at least I’ve shown people what I can do. Let’s see how the rest of the season pans out. So proud of our momentum though.”
Up next for the LIQUI MOLY Husqvarna Intact GP ace is Mugello, where a podium will most definitely be in the 18-year-old’s sights.
Jacob Roulstone – Moto3
Youngster Jacob Roulstone just keeps on building in his impressive rookie campaign in Moto3, with him equalling his best finish of the crusade at Catalunya by grabbing eighth. Following his 12th at Le Mans, where he proved he had the speed to match it with the frontrunners before a mistake dropped him back, there was more upside to be extracted from his Barcelona.
Delivering a fine showing from 16th on the grid, Roulstone surged off the line in his quest to blast ahead. Motoring through the pack with similar lap times to the leaders, he quickly powered into the top 10. Eventually crossing the line in P8 following some fierce battles, both he and the team were happy with this outcome.
“I am happy with the progress made over the weekend, we found some good setups to head to Mugello”…
“Today was not perfect, but overall I am very happy with our race and the way I rode. We knew that we needed to be more aggressive from the start, and I believe that I was able to do so. We worked our way back, we were just a tenth from the front group, with a solid pace. At some point, I passed three riders in turn one but lost it a bit, and then I knew that at that stage of the race it would be difficult to come back, so I focused on myself, trying to save the tyres. I did what I needed to do today, although there are still a few things to improve, but I am happy with the progress made over the weekend, we found some good setups to head to Mugello,” he asserted.
Joel Kelso – Moto3
The month of May hasn’t been kind for Joel Kelso, for his Le Mans and Catalunya were far from what he wanted. Although he had some handy pace in France, an incident forced him to drop back to 13th. Then, in Spain, a disappointing spill when duking it out near the front brought his race to a premature close.
To his credit, when speaking afterwards, Kelso preferred to focus on the ups, not the downs, saying; “Light at the end of the tunnel. Coming into this weekend, we had struggled in the last couple of rounds, not being able to take that little step forward like the others in the top six. But today, the results may not show it, but we took a huge step forward with the bike and with my riding,” he commented.
“Today, the results may not show it, but we took a huge step forward with the bike and with my riding”…
“I was able to come through from 14th up to seventh at one point, attack on the brakes, and catch the front group. I honestly felt quite comfortable once I caught the front group. Unfortunately, a very odd front end tuck at turn one put my race to bed a little earlier than I would have liked. I can’t fault the team for their amazing effort this weekend to help me find the next step, time to dust myself off and go again in Mugello next weekend.” Watch for the Boe Motorsports hotshot to come out swinging in Italy.
Jason O’Halloran – British Superbike
Jason O’Halloran registered his first BSB victory with Completely Motorbikes Kawasaki, as the Aussie triumphed in a thriller at Donington Park. Having gone 7-6-7 at Oulton Park, the “O Show” emphatically breathed life into his season with his remarkable third race victory. Engaging in a fascinating battle with heavy hitters Tommy Bridewell, Danny Kent and Glenn Irwin, there was no stopping the 36-year-old, who produced a scintillating charge to glory to bank his 27th BSB victory.
“I just loved being back in the battle, back at the front”…
“It feels good to be on top. [It’s] nice after you’ve had a couple of steady rounds to get to the top and win,” he gleamed. “The team have been working really hard on the bike and adapting it to my style and what I’ve been looking for with the feeling, and it’s all coming together. I just loved being back in the battle, back at the front, and it’s nice when you’re in a fight like that when you can win.”
Josh Brookes – British Superbike and Isle of Man TT
While Josh Brookes hasn’t obtained the desired results in May, he remains upbeat, as he and the team keep pushing for improvement. Having claimed 9-7-8 finishes at Oulton Park, this hit-out was vital in terms of gaining knowledge in order for refinements to be made on the FHO Racing BMW. The fact Brookes showed excellent race pace was another reason for encouragement, as he knows he needs to elevate his output in qualifying. Continuing to make strides at Donington despite the results not reflecting this on his way to banking a 10th, eighth and a DNF, his attention will now turn to the Isle of Man TT and the upcoming BSB bout at Knockhill.
“I’m hoping we can take these changes (and a little bit of luck) into the next BSB round at Knockhill”…
“It was great to see so many fans at a sunny Donington Park over the weekend. I’m obviously coming away from round three disappointed with the final results, but I’m also pleased as we did actually make progress over the weekend,” he reflected. “We made changes overnight and going into Sunday I had a much better feeling with our setup. I’m hoping we can take these changes (and a little bit of luck) into the next BSB round at Knockhill.”
As we went to press, Josh was at the Isle of Man TT, which we will report on next issue…
Off-Road
Jett Lawrence – AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross.
There’s no stopping the masterful Jett Lawrence right now, as the 20-year-old wrapped up the 450 AMA Supercross Championship in fine style to cap off a phenomenal rookie term in the premier class.
Indeed, the numbers tell the story, for his latest title earned him his seventh consecutive AMA crown across the classes. “I’m so excited we won the championship, but I’m also feeling glad that the season’s over. The whole main event, all I could think was, ‘Don’t mess up.’ I just wanted to get a decent start, settle into a comfortable pace, and ride my race. It’s felt like a long season, but it’s gone very fast. I’m sure the emotions will set in more this week; right now, I’m happy about it, but even more happy for the team,” an overjoyed Lawrence concluded.
“It’s felt like a long season, but it’s gone very fast”…
Immediately shifting his focus to Pro Motocross, and Jett was flawless at the opener at Fox Raceway by going 1-1 to extend his streak to 12 consecutive overalls and 24 straight moto triumphs outdoors. Launching out of the gate rapidly in both motos and leading every lap, more exciting times await the tremendously gifted Honda pilot, as the series heads to Hangtown.
Hunter Lawrence – AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross
Fresh from completing his injury-interrupted debut Supercross campaign in the 450 category ninth in the standings and with a couple of podiums, plus many top 10s, Hunter Lawrence carried his momentum into Pro Motocross.
Showing what a class act he is and how smoothly his adaptation to the bigger bike is going, the #96 excelled on his first 450 encounter outdoors to secure second overall at Fox Raceway. “It was a good day—second overall in my 450 outdoor debut! I just went when the gate dropped, and that led to two starts near the front. I’m happy to be leaving here like this,” he stated.
“I’m happy to be leaving here like this”…
Ready for more at round two, expect Hunter to flex his muscles at Hangtown too, as the Lawrence brothers show looks set to roll on.
Troy Herfoss. Pic: Brian J Nelson.
Troy Herfoss, KOTB and Super Hooligans Moto America
Aussie superbike ace Troy Herfoss, current points leader in the 2024 Mission King of the Baggers championship and second n points in Super Hooligans for Indian Motorcycles, will ride the Tytlers Cycle BMW M1000RR in place of the injured Cameron Beaubier.
“It has been a dream of mine to race in MotoAmerica”…
Troy, the 2023 Australian Superbike Champion, will be on the grid alongside JD Beach for Tytlers Cycle Racing for the next couple of rounds and we very much look forward to starting our journey together. Troy is an exceptional rider, as he has shown so far in 2024 but he also brings vast superbike experience. The 37-year-old Australian is a multiple ASBK Superbike champion and has competed several times in World Superbike.
Troy Herfoss “First and foremost I would like to wish Cam the best recovery possible. He is a true champion in our sport, and it is an honor to ride his bike. I want to thank both Michael Kiley and the team at Tytler’s Cycle Racing and Gary Gray of Indian Motorcycles for allowing me this opportunity. It has been a dream of mine to race in MotoAmerica. This year has been so much fun. I have an enormous itch that needs scratching around MotoAmerica and Superbikes and although it will be a challenging weekend, I am sure a rewarding one as well.”
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