2015 Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup kicks off March 22

After the successful selection of riders at Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia last October, the Federation Internationale de Motocylisme (FIM), the governing body for motorcycle sports and global advocate for motorcycling, has announced the schedule of the much anticipated 2015 Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup, which will feature 12-races and six double events in five countries.

The Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup, which is organized by Dorna Sports, is a pan-Asia motorcycle talent search program of Shell that serves as a feeder series to the MotoGP World Championship. The competition aims to give young talented grassroots racers between the ages of 13 and 20 years old an opportunity to be recognized in the competitive world of road racing. Young riders will compete on Honda NSR250R Moto3 bikes.

Now on its second year, the Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup will commence on March 22 at the new Chang International Circuit in Thailand, which also coincide with Superbike World Championship.

Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports, said, “The opening of Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup has seen some good young riders producing some exciting racing. We are pleased to expand the competition this year by opening up participation of riders from Australia and New Zealand.”

Ezpeleta explained, “The riders who eventually make it through to the competition know that they will have a valuable opportunity and great coaching from Alberto Puig, who has nurtured several top-level riders like Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa.”

The selected 22 participants in the cup will also ride in Qatar, Malaysia, China and Japan as well as a closing round in Sepang.

Representing the Philippine flag is 13-year old Mckinley Paz, a student at Sienna College in Taytay, Rizal, who qualified at the pre-selection round. The Philippine Team is optimistic to make a good comeback with Mckinley Paz on-board after Filipino rider Ralph Kenneth Torres failed to qualify at last year’s cup race.

Here is the official schedule of the 2015 Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup Race:

March 22                     Chang International Circuit      Thailand

March 29                     Losail International Circuit       Qatar

August 2                      Sepang International Circuit     Malaysia

September 20             Zhuhai International Circuit     China

October 11                  Twin Ring Motegi                         Japan

October 25                  Sepang International Circuit     Malaysia

  To know more about the 2015 Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup, log on at www.facebook.com/AsiaTalentCup or www.asiatalentcup.com