Three Aussies on 2024 Asia Talent Cup grid.

The full entry list for the 2024 Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup, has been revealed, with three Australian juniors on the 20-rider grid for the international contest that’s held on circuits across Asia, India and the Middle East.

Eight riders returning from the 2023 Asia Talent Cup include Australia’s Levi Russo, who finished 15th overall last year. The 15-year-old’s best race results were a pair of sixth place finishes at Round 5 in Sepang. Fellow Aussie, Marianos Nikolis, finished 10th last year, with a best race finish of fourth at Lusail, but will not return to the Asia Talent Cup in 2024.

The Aussie newcomers graduated through a selection process at Sepang in November that saw 89 starters whittled down to just 12. Of the 15 Aussies who entered selection, only two made it through - 15-year-old Rikki Henry and 14-year-old Archie Schmidt. Both are from South Australia and have experience in the Oceania Junior Cup (OJC).

Schmidt won the OJC in 2023 – only his second year in road racing competition. Henry finished tenth overall in that domestic championship last year, but he did win the 160cc class at the FIM MiniGP Australia Series, earning a start at the FIM MiniGP World Series in Spain, where his best result was 17th.

Beyond Australia, the field for the 2024 Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup includes riders from India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand, all of whom are aged between 14 and 18. Joining Russo on the returning riders list are Ryota Ogiwara, who finished third overall last year, Zen Mitani (fifth last year) and Riichi Takahira (sixth). All three are from Japan and considered strong contenders for the 2024 championship.

The 2023 Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup champion, Veda Pratama from Indonesia, will race in the Red Bull Rookies Cup this year, as will Thailand’s Jakkreephat Phuettisan, who finished fourth in 2023.
The 2024 Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup takes place over six rounds, starting at Lusail in March and finishing at Sepang in November. Each round is held in conjunction with the MotoGP race weekend at the respective circuit.