Casey Stoner will not be the only Australian in the premier class of world motorcycle racing at Phillip Island this weekend.
The retiring Honda rider will be joined on the AirAsia Australian MotoGP grid by Kris McLaren who has received a late call up.
McLaren will make his MotoGP debut riding for the Avintia Blusens team on the CRT bike that is regularly ridden by Yonny Hernandez.
The injured Columbian dislocated his left collarbone at the Motegi recently, opening the door for McLaren to make an unexpected debut.
After receiving a wildcard entry in the Moto2 class last year, McLaren has spent 2012 in the Spanish CEV Moto2 class, scoring a podium finish at Jerez recently.
Now, he is preparing himself to grid up alongside the likes of Stoner, Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi.
“I am really enthusiastic I can participate in MotoGP and what’s more, in my country,” McLaren said
“The first objective is to adapt to the bike and gradually make progress.
“It’s a great opportunity that Avintia Blusens has offered me and I’d like to make the best of it even if I am aware it will be very difficult to ride with such experienced riders.”
