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ASBK Round 1 Report | Josh Waters Leaves Phillip Island as Top Dog

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Round one of the 2024 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK) concluded at Phillip Island on February 25, with circuit master Josh Waters completing a full quota of victories on his Ducati. Press: MA/Mark Fattore Images: Optikal/Karl Phillipson

Josh Waters, The Mildura Flyer, undoubtedly produces his most scintillating work at the 4.448km grand prix venue, and so it was again this weekend as he won all three Australian Superbike ASBK races, including two on Sunday, on his Panigale V4 R. He now takes a healthy lead into round two under lights at Sydney Motorsport Park on March 22-23, where he will again have to be at his towering best against a crack field of seasoned veterans and talented teenagers.

The final races were also held today in Michelin Supersport and Race and Road Supersport 300, with 17-year-old Jonathan Nahlous (Yamaha) producing another masterclass in the former and 15-year-old Harrison Watts (Kawasaki) breaking through for his first victory in the latter.

With Superbike Masters and the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup joining the Sydney roster, there’s going to be plenty to look forward to at the Night Race.

mi-bike insurance Australian Superbike
The two constants at the sharp end of the pack for a majority of the 11-lapper were teammates Josh Waters and Harrison Voight, while Troy Herfoss (DesmoSport Ducati Panigale V4 R) went back and forth as he struggled to find rhythm. However, the reigning Australian Superbike champion – as he so often does – found a way, passing Voight on the final lap to finish second behind Josh Waters.

Cru Haliday (Yamaha Racing Team YZF-R1) was fourth and right on the bumper of lap record holder Voight, followed by Ant West (Addicted to Track YZF-R1) and Broc Pearson (DesmoSport Ducati Panigale V4 R). Halliday also set the fastest lap of the race – a 1:31.066 on lap three.

Cameron Dunker (Penrite Racing YZF-R1), Bryan Staring (MotoGo YZF-R1), Max Stauffer (Penrite Racing YZF-R1) and Glenn Allerton (GT Racing BMW M 1000 RR) rounded out the top 10. After such a sensational morning bout, race three was short-lived after the Aprilia RSV4 of Matt Walters imploded in a massive plume of smoke at turn one, with the New South Welshman then crashing in his own oil trail.

The race was immediately red-flagged, with half points awarded. At that time, Waters was nearly two seconds in front of Voight, followed by Herfoss, West, Halliday, birthday boy Mike Jones (Yamaha Racing Team YZF-R1M), Stauffer and Pearson.

“It’s been a great start to the year. To qualify on pole and then win the two-and-a-half races is great,” said Waters. “I’m not sure what it is about this track that I connect well with, other than that I just really enjoy the circuit.
“I like riding in Sydney, too, but I know that everyone in the Australian Superbike field is going to keep working hard and we need to keep on our toes also to make sure we stay ahead of them.”

Waters now takes a 15.5pt (65.5 to 48) lead over Voight into round two at Sydney Motorsport Park on March 22-23. Herfoss is on 47pts, Halliday 42 and West 38.5.

Michelin Supersport
No-one has been more in the ASBK groove than Nahlous Yamaha YZF-R6) at Phillip Island, and his sublime Michelin Superbike campaign was bookended with a third consecutive victory. The win, by 2.451 seconds over Tom Bramich (YZF-R6), saw 17-year-old Nahlous take home the ‘full monty’: pole position, three race wins and a new lap record.

“It was a great weekend; it couldn’t have gone any better,” said Nahlous.“Race three was much harder than the others and I had to adapt on the run so I could put myself in a position to win, which took a while.


“From about lap four, I understood how to ride the track better which was beneficial to me, so I couldn’t have asked for a better way to complete the round.”Nahlous and Olly Simpson (Yamaha) ran line astern in the first half of the race before Nahlous put the hammer down and pulled clear – circulating just shy of his one-day old lap record – leaving Simpson to deal with the advances of Bramich. After electrical issues in the first two races – but still without a quickshifter in the finale – Bramich was galvanised for a big finish, and he passed Simpson on the last lap. Jake Farnsworth (YZF-R6) finished a lonely fourth, ahead of Mark Chiodo (Honda CBR600RR), Hayden Nelson (Kawasaki ZX-6RR), rookie Marcus Hamod (CBR600R) and Declan Van Rosmalen (YZF-R6). Meanwhile, Jack Mahaffy (YZF-R6) was on track for a top-five finish before crashing at turn 11.

Nahlous’ absolute domination saw him collect a maximum 76pts (a bonus 1pt for pole position), ahead of Simpson (56), Farnsworth (50), Bramich (45) and Hamod (44).

Race and Road Supersport 300
The final Race and Road Supersport 300 eight-lapper was box office from start to finish, with Harrison Watts prevailing after a thrilling four-way drag to the finish line. After knocking on the door with a slew of top-five finishes in 2023, it was Watts’ first win in the class. The 15-year-old edged out fellow Kawasaki Ninja 400 riders Tara Morrison and Pete Svoboda in the cliffhanger, with just 0.044 seconds separating the trio at the chequered flag.

Josh Newman (Ninja 400) was fourth, right on the hammer of the top three, ahead of Varis Fleming (Ninja 400) and the first Yamaha rider home, Valentino Knezovic (YZF-R3). The race was another ‘routine’ Supersport 300 battle with too many positional moves to track, but this time there was some extra spice after Svoboda – who won races one and two – ran off the circuit at the ultra-fast turn 12 on lap one.

After dropping to 21st, his cause looked lost – but that didn’t faze the Czech, who pinned his ears back and carved through the pack. The rapid advance saw him hit the lead by lap seven alongside a new lap record of 1:46.529. However, he couldn’t complete the three-peat as Watts and Morrison flashed across the line in front of him. Svoboda leads the championship on 69pts, ahead of Newman (57), Watts (56) and Morrison (49).

But with Svoboda now heading back to Europe to begin his 2024 FIM Supersport 300 World Championship campaign, Newman is the notional leader.

All detailed ASBK Championship class results are here.

Hatto’s Shitbox Rally | Help Legend Tony Hatton & Daughter Peta raise money for cancer

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Cancer affects all of us in some way, directly or indirectly. We all need to contribute to finding a cure, particularly when kids are involved. Tony Hatton and daughter Peta Isaac are doing their bit in respect for legendary industry family, the Galvins, in support of their daughter Lucy Galvin. You can help, too…

Tony Hatton and Graeme Crosby with the Yoshimura Kawasaki Endurance Racer at the Bol d’Or 24-hour, Le Mans , 1977. They held 7th place until the bike stopped. Hatto is now swapping two wheels for four in the Shitbox Rally.
Tony Hatton and Graeme Crosby with the Yoshimura Kawasaki Endurance Racer at the Bol d’Or 24-hour, Le Mans , 1977. They held 7th place until the bike stopped. Hatto is now swapping two wheels for four in the Shitbox Rally.

With a huge career spanning three decades, very few racers in the history of Australian motorcycle racing have clipped as many apexes as Tony Hatton… His interest in bikes started as young as 12, when the Northern Beaches Sydney kid was already subscribing to Motorcycle News… and by 14 he was riding his pushbike up to Terrey’s Green in Terrey Hills to watch the motorcycle racing. The rest is history, as they say, and Hatto went on to have a huge career as a rider, tuner and mentor, winning all the big races that Wayne Gardner, Mick Doohan and Kevin Magee would go on to win…

Follow Tony and Peta’s Shitbox Rally jouney on their Instagram account here...

Now enjoying retirement but still riding on the roads for fun, Tony Hatton is working on a special race with his daughter Peta, and will be taking part in the Shitbox Rally Winter 2024. The dynamic duo will be driving their 10-owner 260,000km young 2004 Honda Accord ‘Goldie Horn’ in the 4500km trek from Bowral, NSW, to Melbourne then from June 15 head North-West through the outback to Alice Springs!

On March 23/24 from 8:00am, you can meet Tony and Peta and help their cause by going to their huge Hatto’s Shitbox Garage Sale at 2 Alcorn Street, Bowral, NSW 2576 (just an hour from Sydney).

Tony Hatton and Peta Isaac with their 2004, 260,000km 10-owner Honda Accord, Goldie Horn, which will take them from Melbourne to Alice Springs. You can help them raise money for Cancer by attending their Garage Sale on Saturday March 23 or Sunday March 24!
Tony Hatton and Peta Isaac with their 2004, 260,000km 10-owner Honda Accord, Goldie Horn, which will take them from Melbourne to Alice Springs. You can help them raise money for Cancer by attending their Garage Sale on Saturday March 23 or Sunday March 24!

Peta’s mum, Tony’s legendary wife Hayley Hatton, has been working flat out with the team raising money and awareness and they have loads of fantastic stuff for sale, and let’s face it, you can just never have enough stuff! But what is also very cool is the huge raffle that will be taking place on the day. If you donate now, you go into the draw for Hatto’s Shitbox Raffle, or if you can, head to Bowral on March 23 or 24, enjoy a BBQ and shopping, and on the Saturday buy a ticket for $5 while you are there watching the draw live! Check out the amazing prizes! (Terms & Conditions on Instagram @hattos_shitbox and all proceeds to Cancer Council).

To donate to Hatto’s Shitbox Rally and help Team Hatto reach their goal of $30,000 click here.


RAFFLE PRIZES

Weekend at Woodstock Homestead in Milton NSW, worth $2,000.

Manly Sea Eagles jersey, signed by 2023 team, worth $200.

NSW State of Origin jersey, signed by Laurie Daley and Steve “Blocker” Roach, worth $200.

Family photoshoot at Hogarth Australia, Sydney or Melbourne, worth $3,000.

Enniskillen Orchard getaway, Hawkesbury Valley NSW, worth $500.

Beko Bean to Cup espresso machine, from Highlands Betta Home Living, worth $549.

City Cave Bowral Flauna package, worth $119.

Southern Highlands Yoga, four group yoga classes worth $88.

Fella Hamilton $100 voucher.

Swish Bowral $100 voucher.

Mic Mac Boutique $250 voucher.

Rodney Clark Bowral $100 voucher.

Glass Bistro and Golf Club Mittagong $50 voucher.

Pelican Rocks Cafe Greenwell Point $40 voucher.

Clarins gift basket, worth $160, from Glam Bowral.

Children’s face painting party, worth $200, from White Waratah Face Painting.

2 x 4 Pines brewery tour, for 4 people, worth $100.

Revitalize Cryotherapy, Ultimate Revitalize Package, worth $140.

Greenback protein pack, suitable for vegans, worth $200.

Voluspa 3 wick candle, worth $180, from Country Accent.

Two acrylic on canvas paintings, Baled Up 1 and 2, by local artist Deborah Harris, worth $900.

Treekeepers Nursery mature tree voucher, worth $1,200.

Gumnut Patisserie $100 voucher.

TONY HATTON’S CAREER 
3 x Australian 125 GP titles
2 x Australian 250GP titles
Multiple Castrol 6 Hour podiums
Multiple Bathurst wins
1974 Duke Of Edinborough Trophy
Multiple Production Bike Wins
Top 10 Le Mans 24HR finishes
Outright Winner 1979 Suzuka 8 Hour

ASBK Round 1 Saturday | Veteran Josh Waters Takes Victory On Ducati

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Josh Waters’ affinity with the Phillip Island has continued with the Victorian scoring an emphatic victory in race one of the season-opening 2024 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK). Waters took advantage of pole position on his On Ya Bike Adventures Ducati. Report: MA/Mark Fattore Images: Optikal/Karl Phillipson

Meanwhile, Jonathan Nahlous (Yamaha) continued an imposing day for the teenage brigade with two runaway victories in the Michelin Supersport class, and the local Race and Road Supersport 300 brigade is yet to find a chink in the armour of Czech visitor Petr Svoboda (Kawasaki). The wildcard has now won two races from as many starts as he ramps up his preparation for the 2024 FIM Supersport World Championship.

mi-bike insurance Australian Superbike
After edging out Herfoss, Jones and Halliday in qualifying with a new Australian Superbike best lap of 1m30.379s, there was an air of inevitability when Waters blitzed the race one start and Herfoss struggled to get off the line. Waters immediately set about putting the sword to the opposition – but it was early disaster for Ted Collins (BMW) whose race only lasted two corners before he was cannoned into by another rider and crashed out.

Meanwhile, Waters was in charge from Jones (YZF-R1), Voight (McMartin Racing Panigale V4 R), Pearson (DesmoSport Ducati Panigale V4 R) and 16-year-old rookie Cameron Dunker (Penrite Racing YZF-R1). Voight was then, in his own words, “pushed and shoved” by his more experienced Australian Superbike rivals and ran wide at turn four on lap two as a result, dropping him back to sixth position.

The 17-year-old immediately rallied, though, initially battling with his old dirt track nemesis Dunker as he methodically worked his way back into second position by lap eight. He also set a new lap record (1:30.790) during his offensive. Waters’ disappearing act saw him win the race – his sixth in the last nine Phillip Island races – by 1.250 seconds over Voight, followed by Herfoss, the slow-starting Halliday, Jones, Pearson, Anthony West (Addicted to Track YZF-R1) and Dunker.

“That was a really good race and a great reward for all the effort the team is putting in to continually improve every time we go out,” said Waters. “After I pulled out a good lead, I just played it safe as I had no idea how the tyres were going to wear. I’m really happy but we’ve got two races to go and I’m under no illusions how hard tomorrow is going to be. But for now, we’ll enjoy this one.”

Glenn Allerton (GT Racing M 1000 RR) and Max Stauffer (Penrite Racing YZF-R1) completed the top 10, while Arthur Sissis (Unitech Racing Yamaha YZF-R1) joined Collins on the DNF list.

Michelin Supersport
Nahlous’ Michelin Supersport victories were achieved with absolute precision, defeating Mark Chiodo (Honda) in race one and last year’s No. 2 Olly Simpson (Yamaha) in the two 10-lappers. The 17-year-old also set a new lap record of 1:34.682, obliterating Voight’s old mark of 1:34.979.

“I’m over the moon with my weekend so far,” said Nahlous. “Pole position, two wins and a new lap record is something that I am very proud of and a reward for all the hard work we’ve been putting in. “The bike is riding on rails at the moment, and I can’t wait to get back out on track tomorrow.”

Race one saw Nahlous, from NSW, lead from start to finish on his way to a 4.573-second victory over Chiodo and Simpson. Chiodo (Honda) moved into second place just before mid-race distance – his dive underneath Simpson at turn 10 a highlight – but by then Nahlous had already put the winning equation beyond doubt. Nonetheless, an impressive return to Michelin Supersport for the CBR600RR, which was also extremely fast down Gardner Straight in the hands of not only Chiodo, but 2023 Supersport 300 champion Marcus Hamod.

Tom Bramich (Yamaha), back in action after injury cruelled his 2023 Supersport campaign, was also heavily involved in the scrap for second place early on before a gear shifter issue saw him fall through the pack and finish 11th. Jack Mahaffy (Yamaha) was a solid fourth, well ahead of Jake Farnsworth (Yamaha) and Archie McDonald (Yamaha).

Race two saw Nahlous and Simpson scrap hard for the first half before the former pulled away for another easy win, with Mahaffy completing the trifecta from Jake Farnsworth (Yamaha), Hamod and Bramich, who was as far back as 12th in the opening laps. Hayden Nelson (Kawasaki ZX-6R) and McDonald saw out the top eight.

Race and Road Supersport 300
Two from two for Czech Petr Svoboda in the Race and Road Superport 300 class, with the FIM WorldSSP300 rider pulling clear of the pack in the final three laps to win by just over one second from fellow Kawasaki rider Josh Newman – the same 1-2 as Friday’s race one.

Ryan Larkin (Yamaha) put in a stirring final lap to finish third, just 0.03 seconds behind Newman. Mitch Simpson (Yamaha), Tara Morrison (Kawasaki), Valentino Knezovic (Yamaha), Harrison Watts (Kawasaki) and Ryder Gilbert (Yamaha) all flashed across the line in rapid succession to fill positions 3-8 in the eight-lapper. Gilbert again set the fastest lap of the race, today’s 1:47.348 set in ideal conditions. The current lap record for Supersport 300 is of the oldest benchmarks at Phillip Island – Luke Jhonston’s 1:47.187 set in 2020.

ASBK Round 1 Friday | Cru Halliday Dominates as records tumble

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Yamaha Racing Team’s Cru Halliday has burst out of the blocks in practice for round one of the 2024 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK) at Phillip Island today, running fastest in both sessions. Press: MA/Mark Fattore Images: Optikal/Karl Phillipson

Cru Halliday dominated the first day of ASBK Round One practice on the newly resurfaced layout.
Cru Halliday dominated the first day of ASBK Round One practice on the newly resurfaced layout.

mi-bike insurance Australian Superbike
A combination of cool and overcast conditions with the addition of a new surface was always going to be a recipe for spectacular practice times, and that’s how it panned out as Cru Halliday and Waters both dipped under the current lap record (1m31.075s) as times tumbled in the afternoon session. Halliday’s new circuit best lap of 1:30.840 on the YZF-R1M was pure class, setting him up for his first pole position in the Australian Superbike class since round two in 2023.

“I was a bit nervous coming into this round because everyone has been going well over the pre-season – but you virtually reset every time you come here,” said Halliday. “As soon as I completed my first practice session, I knew I had a lot of speed because I was one 10th of a second off my fastest ever race time here.

“In the second session, we tried a different tyre and the laps were actually quite fast. We haven’t changed the Yamaha for the last two years at Phillip Island, as we believe we have a really good set-up. We came here knowing what we want and it works.”

Waters, who’s won five of the last eight races at Phillip Island, will be trying his best to deny Halliday the one extra championship point for pole position – but, of course, the battle runs much deeper than just a two-way affair.

Behind Waters (1:33.033), two-time Australian Superbike champion Mike Jones (Yamaha Racing Team YZF-R1, 1:31.349) was third overall on combined practice times, ahead of Troy Herfoss (DesmoSport Ducati Panigale V4 R, 1:31.365), teenage sensation Harrison Voight (McMartin Racing Panigale V4 R, 1:31.393), Broc Pearson (DesmoSport Ducati Panigale V4 R, 1:31.642), Anthony West (Addicted to Track YZF-R1M, 1:31.848) and Max Stauffer (Penrite Racing YZF-R1, 1:32.005).

Herfoss, in particular, is methodically working himself into his new home at Ducati, putting the field on notice that he’s primed for a huge weekend at Phillip Island.

Plenty of other stars are also looking to pounce in qualifying, including former Australian Superbike champions Bryan Staring (MotoGo YZF-R1), Glenn Allerton (GT Racing BMW M 1000 RR), Arthur Sissis (Unitech Racing YZF-R1) and Michelin Supersport-winning graduate Cameron Dunker (Penrite Racing YZF-R1).

Michelin Supersport
The Michelin Supersport class is a hotbed of excitement and anticipation in 2024, and qualifying for round one was a case-in-point. After 20 hectic minutes, Jonathan Nahlous (Yamaha YZF-R6) powered to his first pole position in Supersport with a 1:35.258 on his final flying lap. That was enough to edge out fellow Yamaha riders Tom Bramich (1:35.518) and Olly Simpson (1:35.741), with the trio to start from the front row of the grid for the three 10-lap races.

Jonathan Nahlous (Yamaha YZF-R6) powered to his first pole position in Supersport with a 1:35.258 on his final flying lap
Jonathan Nahlous (Yamaha YZF-R6) powered to his first pole position in Supersport with a 1:35.258 on his final lap.

“I just put my head down and managed to do everything right on my hot lap,” said 17-year-old Nahlous, who missed the corresponding round in 2023 because of injury. “It didn’t feel extraordinarily fast, but I’ll take it! And the important thing is that I believe I can go even faster.”

Twenty-six riders qualified, with row two to be filled by Mark Chiodo (Honda CBR600RR), Jack Mahaffy (YZF-R6) and 16-year-old Hayden Nelson (Kawasaki ZX-6R). Honda and Kawasaki are making welcome returns to the Michelin Supersport cauldron in 2024 to take on the dominant YZF-R6.

Race and Road Supersport 300
Czech visitor Petr Svoboda produced the perfect conversion in the opening Race and Road eight-lap Supersport 300 race, easily winning from pole position. Josh Newman managed to hang tough with the FIM WorldSSP300 No. 6 in the first half of the race before the ruthless Svoboda cleared off, winning by 6.709 seconds – an incongruous margin in a class where victories are normally measured in milliseconds. Victorian Varis Fleming, in a final Aussie ride before he heads off for a Spanish campaign, made it a Kawasaki trifecta on the podium in a lonely third place, while the battle for fourth became a massive arm wrestle and eventually fell the way of Harrison Watts (Kawasaki) ahead of Ryan Larkin (Yamaha), Jordy Simpson (Yamaha), Mitch Simpson (Yamaha) and Tara Morrison (Kawasaki). Ryder Gilbert (Yamaha) set the fastest lap of the race with a 1:49.021.

All detailed ASBK Championship class results are here.

Ninja 500 | On Show This Weekend At Phillip Island Expo

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Kawasaki Motors Australia have debuted the new Ninja 500 at the WorldSBK Expo at Phillip Island today, and also announced pricing of $7544 + ORC, with arrival in late March. The model will be joined by a SE 40th Anniversary model later in the year, with pricing and info on that one yet to be announced.

Kawasaki Motors Australia have debuted the new Ninja 500 at the WorldSBK Expo at Phillip Island.
Kawasaki Motors Australia have debuted the new Ninja 500 at the WorldSBK Expo at Phillip Island.

The all-new Kawasaki Ninja and Z500 models are LAMS approved and set to arrive Down Under next month. The 451cc parallel twin-cylinder models make 33.4kW@9000rpm and 42.6Nm@6000rpm. With the Ninja priced at $7544 + ORC, we expect the Z500 to come in somewhere just above $7k + ORC. The new models are welcome additions to the ever expanding Kawasaki road range, where you can just about find any motorcycle to suit your needs, particularly in the LAS category.

The 451cc parallel twin-cylinder models make 33.4kW@9000rpm and 42.6Nm@6000rpm with the Ninja priced at $7544 + ORC.
The 451cc twin-cylinder models make 33.4kW@9000rpm and 42.6Nm@6000rpm with the Ninja priced at $7544 + ORC.

Both bikes feature revised styling, LED headlight and taillight, a newly designed LCD dash and smartphone connectivity. You can read the full details on the Ninja 500 here, and the Z500 here.

Phillip Island WorldSBK & WorldSSP Test Wrap | Race News

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In the final test before the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship kicks off, Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) emerged as the standout, obliterating the lap record with an impressive 1’28.511s at Phillip Island. His dominance was closely contested by Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), who despite a crash at Turn 4, managed to set an impressive time of 1’28.585s. Report: WorldSBK

Meanwhile, Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) showcased consistent form, securing third place overall. Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) also made waves with a strong performance, finishing in fourth position. The top five was rounded out by Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team Motocorsa Racing). Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) showed promising form, consistently in the mix and eventually finishing in fifth place overall.

Both Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) had a challenging final day of testing. Bautista struggled with discomfort aboard his machine due to a nagging injury, leading to a mixed performance as he finished in seventh place overall. Meanwhile, Rea endured a significant crash at Turn 11, leaving him visibly uncomfortable and down the order in 15th.

Additionally, Honda encountered troubles with Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) sustaining an injury following a highside at Turn 11, sidelining him for the remainder of the test, while Tarran Mackenzie (PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda) also endured a crash at Turn 3, resulting in significant damage to his bike.

WorldSSP
Yari Montella’s (Barni Spark Racing Team) preparations for the 2024 FIM Supersport World Championship were completed in the best possible fashion as he topped the times by 0.062s ahead of Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing). The two Italians were the only riders to lap in the 1’31s bracket at the newly-resurfaced Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, the final test day for the WorldSSP field before the Grand Ridge Brewery Australian Round.

Caricasulo’s first Official Test with his new Motozoo ME AIR Racing team couldn’t have gone much better as he set a 1’31.943s to post the first ever 1’31s lap of the legendary Phillip Island circuit, going two tenths quicker than Andrea Locatelli’s pole lap record of 1’31.176s from 2020, although he did have a crash at Turn 4 in FP1 which impacted his testing programme. However, in the final 30 minutes of the session, Montella overhauled his time by 0.062s to claim top spot in both FP1 and FP2, unofficially smashing the lap record. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) claimed third with a 1’32.183s, matching Locatelli’s pole lap record but finishing three tenths down on Montella.

Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) comes into 2024 having replaced last year’s Champion, Nicolo Bulega, and started his Ducati career with P4 at the Official Test. The #99’s day was disrupted by a crash at Turn 9 in the final hour of FP2, with his bike brought back to the pits, but his 1’32.290s was enough to secure fourth. Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) claimed fifth place with Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) in sixth despite losing time in FP1 thanks to a technical problem. He was 0.453s slower than Montella.

2017 Champion Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) is returning to WorldSSP on a full-time basis, and he showed his speed with P7 on Day 1 on his Yamaha YZF-R6 as he lapped half-a-second down on Montella. Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) was eighth as he looks to build on his stunning 2023 rookie campaign, with two Triumph riders just behind him and rounding out the top ten. Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph), who’s switched to the Street Triple RS 765 for this season, was ninth ahead of Jorge Navarro (WRP-RT Motorsport by SKM-Triumph) in tenth as the team get ready for their WorldSSP debut. Despite his strong day, the #9’s FP1 session was impacted by a Turn 10 tumble.

Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) narrowly missed out on a spot in the top ten as he finished the day in P11, only 0.017s clear of home hero Oli Bayliss (D34G Racing) in 12th with the Australian planning on completing a long run in FP2. Rookie Niccolo Antonelli (Ecosantagata Althea Racing Team) was 13th ahead of the returning Lorenzo Baldassarri (Orelac Racing VerdNatura), looking to mount a title challenge in 2024, in 14th. Niki Tuuli (EAB Racing Team) completed the top 15th.

There were several red flags throughout the day, mostly due to birds on track, which caused some disruption. However, Piotr Biesiekirski (Ecosantagata Althea Racing Team) brought out the red flags when he crashed at Turn 2 with just over an hour to go, with the Polish rider taken to the medical centre. At the end of the session, he was transported to hospital by helicopter; he is conscious but suffered a head injury and concussion. Marcel Brenner (VIAMO Racing by MTM) also crashed, this time at Turn 6, which disrupted his day although, as it came in the final hour, his lost running was kept to a minimum. Glenn van Straalen (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) had a technical problem during FP2 when his bike came to a halt at Turn 11.

The Aussie Riders
WorldSSP 12 32 Oli BAYLISS AUS D34G Racing WorldSSP Team Ducati Panigale V2 1’32.884
WorldSSP 17 21 Tom TOPARIS AUS Stop & Seal Racing Yamaha YZF R6 1’33.259 
WorldSBK 8 87 Remy GARDNER AUS GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team Yamaha YZF R1 1’29.399

The top six from the Official Test for WorldSSP, full results here:
Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) 1’31.881s
⁠Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) +0.062s
Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) +0.302s
Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) +0.409s
Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Team) +0.444s
Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) +0.453s

WorldSBK Combined Results after FP2

1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 1’28.511s
2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.074s
3. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) +0.324s
4. Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) +0.490s
5. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +0.700s
6. Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team Motocorsa Racing) +0.702s

Download FP1 Results
Download FP2 Results

The 2024 season commences with the Grand Ridge Brewery Australian Round, running from this Friday, February 23rd, to Sunday, February 25th.

2024 Phillip Island WorldSBK Test Gallery

ASBK Rd1 | Celebrating 35-years of the Aus Superbike Championship

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It’s fitting the 35th anniversary of the now days tagged mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance ASBK presented by Motul begins at Phillip Island this weekend, a circuit that, more than any other, has produced a magnificent catalogue of extraordinary battles over the last five decades in the hotly contested four-stroke production based class. Press: MA

That’s just the ‘official’ version of history, with Superbike racing for all intents and purposes already a de-facto national class well before it was formally inaugurated in 1989. The machines were predominantly ‘open books’: not always the most angelic in the handling and braking departments, but still able to transfer some serious horsepower through skinny rear tyres.

Mal Campbell at Phillip Island on the Honda RC30.
Mal Campbell at Phillip Island on the Honda RC30.

In 1989, Tasmanian hard-charger Malcolm Campbell won the first ASBK Championship on a Honda RC30. Thirty-five years on, today’s generation of Superbikes from Japan and Europe are light years ahead of their forerunners across every performance metric, but the philosophy remains the same: showcasing the latest generation of high-performance, four-stroke production-based machines on racetracks across the country.

Kevin Magee, Mal Campbell and Rob Phillis.
Kevin Magee in second place chasing Mal Campbell and being hounded by Rob Phillis.

In 2024, that all begins at round one, with riders to start the seven-round season across three 12-lap races around the legendary tyre-churning constant-radius curves of the grand prix circuit. The Superbike riders will also be joined by the Michelin Supersport and Race and Road Supersport 300 classes at the ASBK opener.

Round one will be televised on SBS Sport and SBS On Demand on Sunday, February 25 from 1:00-3:00pm AEST.

All practice, qualifying and race results will be available here.

Phillip Island | WorldSBK Rd1 Preview, Schedule & Ticketing

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Remy Gardner was the fastest Rookie in seventh place, finishing 0.926s behind Razgatlioglu.

Phillip Island is hosting the opening round of the 2024 WorldSBK championship this weekend, with two test days first, then all of the action kicking off from Thursday. It includes round one of the ASBK Championship as well, so should be a great weekend…

Click here to read the full official program for the Phillip Island WorldSBK…

The weather forecast is looking 50/50 but finger’s crossed it holds out and fans are treated to another stunning weekend of racing at Island. Tickets are available at the gate or here
Ticket prices are for GA – $145 ($180 gate) for a three day pass, $40 ($55 gate) Friday, $90 ($110 gate) Saturday or $99 ($125 gate) on Sunday but click here to check all of the pricing on the official website. There is no listing for Thursday ticketing on either official or Aussie website. Camping tickets start at $245. For those after a little bit of luxury, Bar SBK tickets are available for $310 and VIP are sold out.

With Round One of the 2024 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK) kicking off too, there will be plenty of excitement, and the Aussie supers are only a second or so off the pace of the world supers, so the action is always red hot.

A delayed start to Race 1 in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship provided plenty of drama as rain came down before the start of the race.

Support categories of Australian SuperSport 300 and Australian SuperSport (600) will be awesome too! And don’t forget to cheer on Remy Gardner #87 in WorldSBK and Oli Bayliss #32 in WorldSSP…

Check out our WorldSBK and ASBK content…

2024 WorldSBK Championship Round One Schedule

Phillip Island WorldSBK Highlights Gallery

Catch Ya Later, Zane Dobie!

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A very tired Team BikeReview!

Our Deputy Editor, Zane Dobie, has moved on to further his media career in a different direction. Dobie graduated from the University of Wollongong with his Batchelor’s Degree in Journalism in 2020, and immediately started working for BikeReview.com.au and Pitboard.com.au

Within half a lap, Zane had enough confidence in the ZX-4RR to put the hammer down...

Previous experience freelancing for exhaustnotes.com.au and AMCN, where his Dad, Chris Dobie, was editor, saw Zane able to quickly apply his skills to the role. Handy with a camera and with video production skills, readers were soon enjoying Zane’s fresh approach to motorcycle reviews. It runs in the family, as not only is Chris Dobie a skilled bike editor, Zane’s Mum Mary is a gun photographer.

Zane measures up at 183cm, the flat foot-pegs sit further back to a conventional cruiser due to the Boxer engine.

We will miss Zane’s unique and highly informative contributions and hard working, reliable nature, along with his passion for all things two wheels. We wish Zane, a fantastic all-round rider and skilled writer, all the best in his future. Zane has been a youthful and refreshing representative for the new generation of riders and readers in our industry.

Yamaha Continues Massive AORC Support For 2024

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The 2024 Australian Off-Road Championships (AORC) will again see a massive Yamaha presence, with Yamaha Motor Australia continuing its long and successful naming rights of the championship as well as supporting a host of riders and teams for the 2024 season. Press Release: Yamaha Aus.

The 2024 Australian Off-Road Championships (AORC) will again see a massive Yamaha presence, with Yamaha Motor Australia continuing its long and successful naming rights of the championship.
The 2024 Australian Off-Road Championships (AORC) will again see a massive Yamaha presence, with Yamaha Motor Australia continuing its long and successful naming rights of the championship.

For over 20 years, Yamaha Australia has been a major player in the Australian Off Road Championship and that will continue for 2024 as again the bLU cRU have taken up the naming rights of the long standing championship. Another 12 rounds over six weekends are scheduled and taking in some of the best riding terrain in the country with the nations’ best off-road pilots.

ShopYamaha Off-Road
Spearing Yamaha’s presence at the AORC will be the ShopYamaha off Road Team of Kyron Bacon and Wil Dennett. The two young guns of Australian enduro racing will be out to make their presence felt with Bacon contesting the E1 division (250cc) while Dennett steps up to handle the E2 duties (450cc).

Bacon won the E1 class (250cc) for both rounds and was a very impressive top five outright on each occasion and matching times with the bigger bikes in many of the tests.
Tasmanian based sensation, Kyron Bacon is fit, fast and motivated to get his AORC number 1 plate back.

Tasmanian based sensation, Kyron Bacon is fit, fast and motivated to get his AORC number 1 plate back after an injury interrupted 2023 season. Bacon took the E1 and outright honours in 2022, but a broken leg mid-way through the 2023 season halted any chance of retaining the crown, but to his credit, he still managed to charge his way back to a podium position by seasons end and finish the year on a strong note. 

“Last year had some challenges but it also had a lot of positive things I can take from it and I’m fired up and ready to get racing in 2024,” Bacon begins. “I’m well and truly over my injury and riding well and have already spent a few days with the team testing and preparing for the new season.”

It was Bacon’s time to shine, as he screamed across the Final Moto with a total time of 15:14.491.
Bacon is under no illusion of what lays ahead of him with the return of Daniel Milner to Australian racing and the improvement in riders like Jonte Reynders and Wil Dennett, but Bacon is ready to get to work.

“I missed a couple of rounds last year and even though Josh Green has retired, the depth of this years’ championship looks even better. Having Daniel back will be great for the championship and his profile can only add to the AORC and I look forward to racing not just him, but all the other riders in this years’ championship and doing my best to keep the number one plate on Yamaha for another year,” Bacon said.     

Alongside Bacon will be Wil Dennett who steps into the E2 division after the retirement of long-time racer, Josh Green. But make no mistake, Dennett earned his way onto the premier team with some sensational performances in the Under 19 class in 2023, that included plenty of Outright podiums and top five results.   

Wil Dennett has stepped things up in 2023 and has been one to watch and the weekend proved his round one success was no fluke with another dual class win and taking top seven Outright results on both days.
Alongside Bacon will be Wil Dennett who steps into the E2 division after the retirement of long-time racer, Josh Green.

Racing with bLU cRU support in 2023, Dennett was comfortably the most improved rider in last years’ championship and the steep learning curve looks set to stay with his progression to the ShopYamaha team and under the guidance of AJ Roberts.

“I have been a Yamaha rider for a long time and it’s awesome that I have been able to work my way up through the ranks with their support and make it to the premier team,” Dennett says with enthusiasm. “Last year was awesome for me, and it was topped off when AJ called at the end of the season and offered me a ride. I’m not sure who was more stoked, me or my dad.

“I have to keep working hard and I have big shoes to fill with Josh retiring but I’m looking forward to it. The extra support from the team gives me more time to ride and train, my bikes will be better prepared, and I have worked hard over the off season to improve my riding and fitness, so I will be ready for the opening rounds.”

With just one round remaining in the Women’s World Enduro Championship, Jess Gardiner sits in a sensational second place after another double podium blitz in Sweden on the weekend.
Jess Gardiner and her team are back for another season and looking to keep the momentum going from a successful 2024 season that saw her and Danielle McDonald win their respective championships

Yamaha Ballard’s Off-Road Racing
Jess Gardiner and her team are back for another season and looking to keep the momentum going from a successful 2024 season that saw her and Danielle McDonald win their respective championships as well as finish on the podium in the worlds team championships (ISDE) in Argentina.

Continuing with a three-rider outfit that will now see McDonald join Gardiner in the senior women’s class after dominates the junior girls while Jeremy Carpentier will fly the flag in the E1 class on the WR450F.

McDonald races with aggression and attacks the course without fear and the improvement in her riding over the last 12 months has been significant.
Gardiner has been a mentor for McDonald over the past few seasons, but this year, they go head-to-head over 12 rounds.

Gardiner will be gunning for eighth AORC championship, but it is highly likely, her main opposition will be parked right beside her in the JGR tent. Gardiner has been a mentor for McDonald over the past few seasons, but this year, they go head-to-head over 12 rounds. Will it be the gritty determination of the veteran in Gardiner that climbs the mountain again, or the young, fast and stylish McDonald that brings the gardiner train to a halt?

For Carpentier, the all new WR450F has been like a breath of fresh air and he has gelled with the bike the moment he threw a leg over it. The light, agile and exciting new model that was built for Australian conditions has Carpentier charged up for the new season and ready to create some damage in the E2 class.

After an injury interrupted start to the 2023 season, Jeremy Carpentier is finally back to full fitness and again contesting for top 10 out right results.
For Carpentier, the all new WR450F has been like a breath of fresh air and he has gelled with the bike instantly.

Yamaha bLU cRU Support
A new layer of support was introduced by Yamaha for the 2023 and the success was instant. The three-rider team of Cooper Sheidow, Wil Dennett and Jett Yarnold finished the year with two AORC championships and a third place in an outstanding debut. The support given to Wil Dennett enabled him to move up to the ShopYamaha team while Sheidow and Yarnold return for another season with Yamaha bLU cRU Support.

Sheidow is the current E1 champion after a consistent and impressive start to his time on Yamaha. He was in the heat of the battle right from the opening round, filled in for the inured Bacon with the ShopYamaha team and when the pressure was on at the final round, Sheidow kept his composure and secured the championship for himself and Yamaha.

It was a Yamaha 1-3 in the EJ (Under 18) class with Dennett (Lismore Motorcycles) taking the win with teammate Jett Yarnold in third.
Yarnold stepped out of juniors and made in an immediate impact, taking third in the EJ (under 19 championship), and finishing on the podium at most rounds.

The South Australian rider established himself on the national scene in 2023 and with a season under his belt on Yamaha as well as the continued support of the ShopYamaha team, expect Sheidow to continue his upward trend in the 2024 season.  

Yarnold stepped out of juniors and made in an immediate impact, taking third in the EJ (under 19 championship), and finishing on the podium at most rounds. Yarnold adapted well to the team surroundings and will enter this year’s championships as one of the favourites in the development category.

GYTR Yamaha Junior Racing
Yamaha Junior Racing made the move into off road racing in 2023 with the two-rider line up of Marcus Nowland and Harley Hutton. Both return for 2024 with YJR support and will continue to fly the flag at AORC events.

Harley Hutton rebounded from a tough first weekend of racing at rounds one and two to get back to he belongs in the J2 85cc class.
Yamaha Junior Racing made the move into off road racing in 2023 with the two-rider line up of Nowland and Hutton.

Hutton won multiple rounds in 2023 and showed he is the real deal when it comes to off road despite his young age. He will again contest the J2 (85cc) class for 2024 and will be out to get the number one plate on his YZ85.

For Nowland, he had an up and down year but gained valuable experience in his first year on the bigger capacity bikes. Now settled and comfortable on the 250cc machine, Nowland will be aiming for the top as he embarks on the new season.

The 2024 AORC gets under way in March and will run 12 rounds ending in September. 

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