Casey Stoner will not be the only Australian taking part in his home MotoGP this weekend after a surprise late call-up for Victorian Kris McLaren.
McLaren, 26, is set to ride for the Avintia team on a CRT at Phillip Island as a late replacement for injured Colombian rider Yonny Hernandez.
Hernandez dislocated his collarbone two weeks ago at the MotoGP round in Japan and did not ride in Malaysia last weekend.
McLaren, from Leongatha, has been riding Moto2 bikes in Spain and admits he was stunned by his late call-up to ride alongside the sport’s best.
“It’s a great opportunity and I’d like to make the best of it, even though I am aware it will be very difficult to ride with such experienced riders,” he said.
McLaren rode a Moto2 bike at last year’s Phillip Island event but has never raced in the sport’s top-flight.
His ride is set to be a one-off, with Hernandez expected to return for the final round of the series in Spain.