Three Aussies selected for 2026 Asia Talent Cup
The Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup (ATC) has announced its entry list for the 2026 season, with two Aussies to join the starting grid and another in reserve. From an invited group of 88 candidates, the final squad of eleven riders and seven reserves was announced following a selection event at the Sepang International Kart Circuit on 21-22 October.
The ATC Selection Committee, which included HRC MotoGP team manager, Alberto Puig, oversaw proceedings at the two-day selection event and assessed the talent on display. With a wealth of fast, focused and fearless young riders in attendance, the task of choosing just a handful to join the 2026 grid was described as far from easy. Frequent rain impacted the on-track action on Day 2, but the event pushed on, with riders using full wet tyres.
The total of 18 junior riders selected for the 2026 ATC is the same as this year’s field, but the starting grid has been increased by one to eleven, with the reserve rider group reduced by one to seven. Malaysia, China, Indonesia, Japana and Thailand are represented in the main group, with riders from Egypt and India on the reserve list. The age range varies from 13 to 17, with most of the field in the 13-15 age bracket.
Among those selected and named as reserves are several FIM MiniGP World Series Finalists, as well as others from FIM MiniGP national competitions. MiniGP juniors who have progressed to ATC success include 2023 Champion Qabil Irfan (Malaysia) and 2024 Champion Waku Kunitate (Japan).
Of the twelve Aussies invited to Sepang, two will be joining the ATC field next year - 13-year-old Jake Paige and 14-year-old Judd Plaisted, with 14-year-old Phoenix O’Brien named on the reserve list. Those that missed out were Jake Paige’s older brother, Bodie (who raced in the championship this year), Matthew Ritter, Isaac Ayad, Hunter Corney, Adam Jorda, Nikolas Lazos, Jed Louis, Orlando Peovitis and Ghage Plowman.
The 2026 ATC calendar is yet to be announced, but will likely get underway in early March, with rounds at Sepang, Mandalika, Buriram and Motegi.
