Dorna launches British Talent Cup for 2017

MotoGP promoter Dorna has announced the creation of the British Talent Cup, which is aimed at helping foster young UK-based talent.

The new series will use Honda’s NSF 250R Moto3 bike, and be run at circuits in the UK and Spain as part of Dorna events.

Among the rounds are the British GP at Silverstone and the World Superbike weekend at Donington Park.

It is set to follow the template of the Asia Talent Cup established in 2014, with the architect of that programme Alberto Puig in place as Dorna’s talent promotion director.

Former MotoGP racer Jeremy McWilliams will be involved as a talent scout, with a selection event to be held at Silverstone ahead of this August’s British GP.

John McPhee will give the initiative a presence in Moto3, racing a Honda for the British Talent Team.

"After the incredible success of the Asia Talent Cup we are very proud to announce another amazing initiative as part of our Road to MotoGP," Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta said.

"With the long and illustrious history of racing in the UK and British Isles, it is the perfect place and the perfect time to begin another chapter of the UK's two-wheeled story, and we are proud to have John McPhee on board in the Moto3 World Championship as the first stage in this project.

"His great victory in Brno last season was an astonishing achievement that proves his fortitude.

"The experience of Dorna, Alberto Puig and Jeremy McWilliams will be pushing to make both the British Talent Team and the British Talent Cup successful additions to our commitment to talent and riders of the future."

McPhee claimed his maiden Moto3 victory at Brno last year, riding a Peugeot-backed Mahindra, on the same weekend LCR Honda’s Cal Crutchlow became the first Briton win a premier class race since Barry Sheene in 1981.

"I'm really happy to have this opportunity in the team and I'm looking forward to the season to see what we can do," McPhee said.

"Representing the UK and British Isles on the world stage, as well as the Team and Cup, is a big responsibility but I'll work hard to get the kind of results we're aiming for - and get this new project off to the best start."