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Looking Ahead

In this fortnightly section of the MA website / e-Newsletter, Motorcycling Australia's CEO, David White, will look ahead at some of the pressing issues facing motorcycling in this country. 

Aussies Abroad – leading the international charge

With the 2008 year now past the half way mark it is an opportune time to look at the performances of some of our riders who are competing overseas.

In MotoGP, Casey Stoner is now in third place in the Championship after winning the last two Grands Prix. The doubters were starting to look at 2007 as a one-off but Casey has shown true fighting spirit after a relatively slow start to the season.

In Superbikes, Troy Bayliss comfortably leads the Championship with Troy Corser in fifth place.  

In the World Suprersport Championship presents a similar picture with Andrew Pitt leading, Broc Parkes in third place and Josh Brookes in fourth place. 

And in the World Superstock, Brendan Roberts is not far off the lead in second spot.

As you all would know Chad Reed has won the World Supercross Championship.

Jason Crump has just won the British Speedway Grand Prix and is now in second place in the World Speedway Championship.

Our Junior Team has qualified for the final of the final of the Junior World Speedway Teams Championship and both Ryan Sullivan and Dave Watt have qualified for the semi-finals to go into next years Speedway Grand Prix after winning their respective qualifying rounds.

Troy Batchelor and Chris Holder have both secured a starting place in the World Junior Speedway Championship.

On the Enduro scene Josh Strang has won the recent round of the GNCC Championship in America  with a fifth consecutive podium finish putting him into third place in this prestigious event, in only his second year of contesting that very competitive series.

Stefan Merriman has just had a great couple of rounds in the Italian Enduro Championship, which he now leads outright.

I hope I have not left anybody out of the accolades and I am confident there will be more impressive results in the second half of the year.

But what do these fantastic international results show us?

We certainly can’t claim all of the credit for the results of individuals competing internationally, but we can say the general standard of competition across all disciplines in Australia, is such that our competitors are involved in quality, hard fought competition in this country. 

That competition puts them in a good position to embark on an international career.

They develop a tough fighting spirit brought about by the difficulties of being successful in this country.

Apart from the hard competition individuals generally have to make huge personal sacrifices to get to the top in this country. Sponsorship is not easy to come by and racing is costly. Riders have to travel huge distances to events.

I am sure you will join me in congratulating all of the above riders for their achievements to date and wish them further success.

Equally we should be thanking our current competitors in Australia for participating in National Championships and wish them every success in their future competitions as they are providing the stage for our future World Champions. 

David White
Chief Executive Officer
Motorcycling Australia