MotoGP and World Superbike commercial rights holders Dorna Sports have unveiled its plans for the British Talent Cup and pulled the wraps off of its British Talent Moto3 Team at a launch in London.
The British Talent Cup follows in the footsteps of other such initiatives set up by Dorna in Asia and across Europe, with the aim of the series being to give a platform for young UK riders to launch into grand prix racing from.
The Championship has confirmed to be free to enter, which is a big move by Dorna.
The idea was first confirmed earlier in the year by Dorna’s Talent Promotion Director Alberto Puig, a former racer and the man behind the careers of the likes of Dani Pedrosa and Casey Stoner.
The renewed push to find British talent comes in the wake of several successful years in grand prix racing which saw the country’s first world title since 1977 secured by Danny Kent in Moto3 in 2015. Cal Crutchlow also ended Britain’s 35-year wait for a premier class win at Brno last season, backing that up with a second victory in Australia.
The series will form part of the support bill for WorldSBK and MotoGP rounds in 2018, though specific details on which race weekends and calendar length are yet to be finalised.
The selection process will be open to riders born between 2001 and 2005, and will take place on the week before the British Grand Prix. Dorna are yet to confirm grid sizes, but the riders will be on Honda Moto3 machinery.
Former 250cc and North West 200 race winner Jeremy McWilliams will serve as a rider coach and talent scout for the series, and will be assisting John McPhee throughout the season.
Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta said: After the incredible success of the Asia Talent Cup we are very proud to announce another amazing initiative as part our road to MotoGP. With the long and illustrious history of racing in the UK and the British Isles. It is the perfect place and the perfect time to begin another chapter in the UK’s two-wheeled story.
Also unveiled at the launch was the new British Talent Team, which will make its Moto3 debut this season with 2016 Czech Grand Prix winner John McPhee at the helm. This outfit will provide the first step on the ladder for successful BTC riders.
McPhee made history last year when he became the first Scottish rider since Bob McIntyre in 1962 to win a grand prix, and is looking forward to returning to racing with Honda in 2017 having missed the final round of 2016 with an injury.
“I’m really happy to have this opportunity in the team and I’m looking forward to the season to see what we can do,” said McPhee.
“Representing the UK and British Isles on the world stage, as well as the Team and Cup, is a big responsibility but I’ll work hard to get the kind of results we’re aiming for – and get this new project off to the best start.
“Thanks to everyone for the opportunity – and now I’m just looking forward to getting out and racing!”
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