HAVING made the leap to motorcyle grand prix racing, Kendal rider James Ellison is learning how to live with superstars of the sport like championship leader Valentino Rossi.

On the strength of winning the British Superbike Cup, for non-factory supported teams, Ellison was snapped up by Austrian-based grand prix team WCM and for the remainder of the season will be jet-setting round the famous circuits of the world.

Last weekend it was the Mayalsian GP where he finished 17th, one lap down on winner Rossi, but crucially 30 seconds ahead of his team-mate Youichi Ui. A higher place finish was hardly surprising as the WCM-Harris machines are still in the development stage.

This weekend Ellison is racing at Australia's Phillip Island GP circuit before returning to Europe for the final round at Valencia on October 31.