THE switch from dirt-track racing to road-bike racing has been a natural progression for 12-year-old Jed Louis, who takes his place in the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup road-racing competition next weekend at Phillip Island, ahead of the Australian MotoGP.
Jed, who with parents Simon and Maria Louis, lived in Moree for 10 years before relocating to the Hunter Valley in 2014, was accepted to participate in the program after submitting a written application and undergoing two try-outs at Winton Raceway in Victoria.
After a rigorous process, Jed was endorsed as a prominent young Australian rider and elite athlete in the discipline and was selected to be part of a field of 16 riders from Australia and New Zealand to compete at Phillip Island.
The Oceania Junior Cup, now in its sixth year, is a stepping stone to the world stage, and part of the Road to MotoGP program, where riders aged between 11 and under 16 compete on identical Yamaha YZF-R15 bikes.
“The try-outs were held two months apart and Jed was notified of his acceptance into the program not long after the second try-out,” proud mum Maria said .
Riders are provided with training on bike skills, nutrition and media training as well as technical and coaching support. They also receive full racing gear, including leathers, helmets, boots, and gloves.
“The OJC bikes are all the same, set up the same, with no modifications,” Maria said.
“It comes down to the amount of petrol each bike gets, depending on the child’s weight after weigh-in with all their gear on.
“It’s a completely level playing field,” she said.
“This is Jed’s first year of road racing. He’d never been on a road bike until he tried out for the OJC. However, he is very familiar with dirt-track racing.”
Jed has won numerous trophies and holds a NSW dirt track title for 85cc 2-stroke/150cc 4-stroke for 12-16 years.
The Oceania Junior Cup runs alongside the Australian Superbike championship, World Superbike championship and MotoGP, and consists of six rounds and two official tests.
As well as competition on the world-famous Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit, the program offers classroom and hands-on training on everything aspect of the world of professional bike riding.
Gary McCoy, a five-time Grand Prix winner, is the dedicated coach and mentor.
“As a competitor, I am required to attend media activities, meet race officials and competitors in other classes, and complete various assignments throughout the course of the season,” Jed said.
Jed currently sits sixth in the championship. The five riders ahead of him and two in seventh and eighth position have previously competed in the program.
“We are extremely proud of Jed’s achievements in both dirt-track racing and road-racing and can’t wait to see what the future holds,” Maria said.
Riders will undergo practice sessions on Friday, with qualifiers and races on Saturday and Sunday.
“On Sunday, they will get a five-minute warm-up and then have two races,” Maria said.
The second race on Sunday will be televised live on SBS On Demand.
Jed’s dad, Simon Louis, said weather will play a big part next weekend.
“It will be anyone’s race as the track is so wide,” Simon said.
“There will be a lot of slip-streaming taking place and Jed will need to be in the top pack to hopefully keep his place.
“We can only ask that he does his best, stays safe and has fun,” Simon said.
Motorcycling Australia CEO, Peter Doyle, said the Oceania Junior Cup was now an integral part of professional road-bike racing in Australia.
“The OJC has been a spectacular addition to the Australian circuit racing landscape, not only in terms of the action but the opportunities it has provided for riders to continue to make their mark internationally,” Doyle said.
“In 2024, we have OJC alumni competing in both the Asia Talent Cup and Red Bull Rookies Cup, and to see Jacob Roulstone become a full-time Moto3 rider was another nod to the success of the academy.
“The OJC action at Phillip Island will be as intense as ever, with the battle for the chequered flag to go down to the wire,” he said.
Images: Supplied
