CAPTION: The 10 bikes in the FIM Oceania Trans-Tasman Challenge will be clearly identifiable by country-specific liveries, with green and gold on the lower half of the Yamaha YZF-R15 fairings for the Aussies and silver with black for the Kiwis.
The final round of the 2024 bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup (OJC) at The Bend (SA) from November 8-10 will also include a simultaneous battle for national pride in the FIM Oceania Trans-Tasman Challenge.
The newest chapter in the celebrated sporting rivalry between Australia and New Zealand will see five riders from each nation accumulate points across the three OJC races at The Bend. The nation with the most points on Sunday afternoon will be declared the inaugural FIM Oceania Trans-Tasman Challenge winner.
The New Zealand team for the FIM Oceania Trans-Tasman Challenge is:
Alvin Wu,
Ryder Chamberlain,
Nixon Frost,
Hunter Charlett
Haydn Fordyce
This will be a whole new experience for Ryder, while Alvin has been making waves on the Queensland Junior Cup of late. Nixon, Hunter and Haydn are well versed in how hot the competition is in OJC. Nixon was the second NZ rider to join the series after Cormac Buchanan. Hunter is running third currently in the 2024 series with one round to go. Haydn finished third in 2023 setting lap records and taking some race wins also – first NZ rider since Aaron Slight in the early 1990’s to win races at ASBK. .
The Australian team is Hunter Corney, Ethan Johnson, Nikolas Lazos, Rossi McAdam and Jed Louis. These riders are the top five Australians in the current 2024 OJC standings in 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th, with New Zealander Hunter Charlett breaking up the local domination in third overall. The 2024 bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup will come to an exciting conclusion at The Bend with Corney on track to win the championship with his massive 71-point lead.
The Trans-Tasman Challenge is a key pillar in FIM Oceania’s strategy for more riders in the region to participate in international and continental motorcycle competition. Earlier this year, the inaugural FIM Oceania Women’s Motocross Cup was another successful FIM Oceania project.
Now the Trans-Tasman rivalry switches to circuit racing, in what will be part of a huge three days at The Bend for the Grand Finale of the 2024 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul.
As well as the OJC and FIM Oceania Trans-Tasman Challenge, the other classes in action will be Pirelli Superbike, Michelin Supersport, Race and Road Supersport 300, Yamaha R3 Cup, Nolan Superbike Masters and the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU Asia-Pacific Championship. ASBK Rd.7 will be available via SBS-On Demand (free to join), also ASBK.com.au. Sunday afternoon will be SKY NZ as well.
Mac McLeod, Motorcycling New Zealand President stated, this is a great opportunity for our junior riders and reflects the commitment from FIM Oceania, to junior development. The Trans-Tasman rivalry will be strong, as our team competes not just for individual accolades, but for their country. Competing in Australia has proven to be a crucial stepping stone for our New Zealand riders as they seek greater opportunities on the international stage. We wish all our riders the very best for the event.