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Australian Yannis Shaw and New Zealander Rogan Chandler have been granted Moto3 wildcards for next month’s Pramac Generac Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.
Shaw is currently sixth in the Australian Supersport 300 Championship and won this year’s New Zealand Moto3 Championship.
At Phillip Island, the 25-year-old will ride the very bike which he raced in the New Zealand Superbike Championship, namely a 2014 Kalex KTM formerly ridden by four-time Moto2 grand prix winner Brad Binder.
“I’ve always said I’ll get there one day, and since that day I’ve had nothing else on my mind,” said Shaw about his hopes of one day starting a world championship race.
“To be able to finish with a few other riders behind me, I would be over the moon with. Anything more than that would be a complete bonus.
“If it’s wet weather, I would love to be able to be up there in the top 10, as I love riding in the wet weather.
“I know how quick the Moto3 paddock is, so all I can do is give it everything I have to be as competitive as possible.”
Chandler’s start will be the first for a Kiwi in Moto3.
The 22-year-old from the Wellington Region won his native country’s 125GP Championship in 2016 with 12 wins from as many races, and has competed in the New Zealand Supersport Championship since 2018.
He does, however, have six races at Phillip Island under his belt having briefly ridden in Australia’s Supersport 300 Championship in 2017.
“I think it’s going to be a great experience and I’m sure I’ll learn a lot about what it’s like to race against the best riders in the world,” said Chandler.
“Luckily, I’ve raced Phillip Island before, so I’m pretty confident in that area as I won’t have to learn the track so much.
“In saying that, I understand what I’m up against in terms of the level of competition, as the World Moto3 Championship is so cutthroat.
“I feel confident about where I am speed wise currently and think the team and I will have a positive weekend.”
Both will ride for Double Six Motor Sport, run by Jack Clay, at The Island.
Italian Lorenzo Dalla Porta currently holds a healthy championship lead in Moto3, which continues this weekend at the Gran Premio Michelin de Aragon.
Australia’s round of the 2019 MotoGP World Championship takes place from October 25-27.
