Saturday

Anthony West (#13) was the star of the show in qualifying for round six of the 2025 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK) at Phillip Island on September 6.

Check out the ASBK Round Five report here...

The Queenslander was a cut above in the premier SW-Motech Superbike class, powering to his maiden pole position in the ASBK Championship on the Addicted to Track Yamaha. The 44-year-old has been knocking on the door of pole position for quite some time, but in brilliant Phillip Island weather he finally reached the summit with a searing lap of 1:30.462 – the second best ever in the Superbike class. West was joined on the front row for Sunday’s two 11-lap races by Josh Waters (McMartin Racing Ducati #1) and Mike Jones (Yamaha Racing Team #46), who both sit above him in the championship race after five of eight rounds.

Qualifying was also held across all the other ASBK classes on Saturday – Kawasaki Supersport, Race and Road Supersport 300 and the BLU CRU Oceania Junior Cup – as well as the Yamaha R3 BLU CRU Asia-Pacific Championship making its first visit to Phillip Island. The Oceania Junior Cup riders also enjoyed their first race to bookend Saturday’s on-track activities, ahead of a massive 11-race schedule on Sunday.

SW-Motech Superbike

West’s trajectory has been on the up for some time, and today the former Moto2 winner’s stocks rose yet again. “I’m just so happy, and hats off to the Addicted to Track team,” said West. “We’ve been working hard towards getting the best out of the bike: we have a plan and we know what to do. All that experience is coming together really well.”

West was the only rider to circulate in the 1:30 bracket in qualifying, with Waters, Jones, Broc Pearson (DesmoSport Ducati #11), Cru Halliday (Stop and Seal Ducati #65) and Max Stauffer (Yamaha #27) all in the 1:31s.

The top 10 was completed by Jack Favelle (Addicted to Track Yamaha #33), the returning Troy Herfoss (Yamaha Racing Team #17), Jonathan Nahlous (Omega Racing Team Yamaha #20) and Ty Lynch (Yamaha #85). Meanwhile, Cameron Dunker (MotoGo Yamaha #3) didn’t take part in qualifying after mechanical woes in practice, with his team then forced to race against the clock to get him on the grid.

It was also a hapless day for Glenn Allerton (Superbike Advocates Racing Ducati #14), who didn’t go out because of a physical ailment.

Kawasaki Supersport

There’s breaking records and then there’s breaking records. Albury’s Archie McDonald (#69) was simply sensational in Kawasaki Supersport qualifying, setting a new best lap of 1:33.808 on his Stop and Seal Yamaha YZF-R6, nearly one second under the current lap record (1:34.682) and well over a second ahead of the previous qualifying marker. McDonald has now been in pole position in all four ASBK rounds he has competed in this season. Jake Farnsworth (Yamaha #49) and Hayden Nelson (BCperformance Kawasaki #279) were second and third among the 17 Supersport riders, ahead of Tom Bramich (Yamaha #44), Mahaffy (#37) and Oli Simpson (BCperformance Kawasaki #5). Mahaffy laboured in practice and qualifying with a bent frame, which was replaced overnight. Tom Toparis (Stop and Seal Ducati #7) was the fastest of the Supersport Next Gen riders despite a bingle at turn six in the second qualifying session.

Race and Road Supersport 300

Pressure Ghage! A stunning pole position for Ghage Plowman (Yamaha #27) in his Race and Road Supersport 300 ASBK debut, with Oliver Short (Kawasaki #7) and Jordy Simpson (Yamaha #33) second and third. Championship leader Scott Nicholson (#39) qualified in sixth, three spots ahead of his closest pursuer – fellow Kawasaki rider Tara Morrison (#95). The times were typically tight, though, which augers well for three crackerjack races on Sunday.

BLU CRU Oceania Junior Cup

A race for the ages, with the top 20 OJC riders flashing across the finish line separated by just 1.648 seconds! Xavier Curmi (#82) came out of the rolling scrum first ahead of Chaz Williams (#18) and Rossi McAdam (#61).

Sunday

Veterans Josh Waters and Anthony West were the stars of a challenging round six of the 2025 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK) at Phillip Island on September 7. Waters (McMartin Racing Ducati) and West (Addicted to Track Yamaha) shared victories in the two 11-lap races, the first one held on a wet circuit before conditions cleared in the afternoon as West broke through for his first win in the SW-Motech Superbike class – one day after also setting his maiden pole position.

Broc Pearson (DesmoSport Ducati) was also mightily impressive at Phillip Island, with his 2-3 scorecard securing third overall. With Waters’ main championship rival Mike Jones (Yamaha Racing Team) unable to produce his normal front-running deeds, Waters has now extended his lead in the championship to 69pts (306 to 237) with two rounds remaining. West (234pts) is circling in third position ahead of round seven at One Raceway in Goulburn in two weeks – October 3-5.

“That was a wild day, and in race two a lot of the other riders had nothing to lose, while I have a lot on my mind in terms of the championship,” said Waters. “I was getting carved up like a Sunday roast, but I was happy with the result, and I’d like to thank my team and all of our sponsors for their support.”

Meanwhile, it was all about pure adulation for West. “I don’t remember too much about race two, as there was just so much going on,” he said. “But some of the young guys were making me angry, which really fired me up to get the job done. This weekend has been awesome on so many levels.”

SW-Motech Superbike Race One

It was a just-in-time final salvo from Waters, who won his ninth SW-Motech Superbike race of an extraordinarily impressive season after passing long-time leader Pearson on the final blast down Gardner Straight. The final margin was 0.094 seconds after 11 laps on the sodden Phillip Island layout.

“I had so many moments in that race – I would have liked Broc to have slowed down!” said Waters. Glenn Allerton – grimacing with an injured back which saw him sit out qualifying – was a brilliant third on his Superbike Advocates Racing Ducati after starting from the back of the grid.

West was fourth from Jones, Jonathan Nahlous (Omega Racing Team Yamaha), Oscar O’Donovan, (Scott’s Motorcycles Kawasaki #171) in a stunning ASBK debut, and Ryan Yanko (Addicted to Track Yamaha #82).

Troy Herfoss (Yamaha Racing Team) didn’t make the start after a crash on his out lap – suffering a minor injury, which was enough to end his day before it really got started – while others to get caught out in the slick conditions included Max Stauffer (Yamaha), Jack Favelle (Addicted to Track Yamaha), Cru Halliday (Stop and Seal Ducati) and Ty Lynch (Yamaha).

Race One Results

1. Josh Waters
2. Broc Pearson (+0.094)
3. Glenn Allerton (29.703)
4. Anthony West (36.870)
5. Mike Jones (+41.620)

SW-Motech Superbike race two

Race two was held on a drying track, with all riders fitting slick tyres – which made for a cautious opening before the intensity was dialled up as more dry lines appeared. The race eventually boiled down to a five-rider arm wrestle between West, Waters, Pearson, Nahlous and Halliday, with Pearson spending most time at the front.

However, on the penultimate lap, West made a decisive move to hit the lead, and then pinned his ears back over the final 4.448 km to win his first Superbike race in his 61st start. Meanwhile, Waters roared past Pearson at the death knell for the second time in as many races, with the duo finishing second and third ahead of Halliday, Nahlous, Jack Favelle (Addicted to Track Yamaha), Jones, Cameron Dunker (MotoGo Yamaha), Stauffer and Allerton. Allerton (190pts) remains fourth in the standings but now has the in-form Pearson (185pts) on his hammer. Dunker is on 175pts.

Race Two Results

1. Anthony West
2. Josh Waters (+0.262)
3. Broc Pearson (+0.263)
4. Cru Halliday (+1.141)
5. Jonathan Nahlous (+1.213)

Championship Points

1. Josh Waters – 306 Points
2. Mike Jones – 237 Points
3. Anthony West – 234 Points
4. Glenn Allerton – 190 Points
5. Broc Pearson – 185 Points

Kawasaki Supersport and Supersport Next Gen

There was a massive power shift in Kawasaki Supersport from Saturday to Sunday. After Archie McDonald’s sensational record-breaking performance in qualifying on the Stop and Seal Yamaha – and bike geometry woes for teammate and championship leader Jack Mahaffy – the prevailing view was “how far” for the Albury dasher in Sunday’s two 10-lap races.

But Mother Nature doesn’t always follow the script, with the first spots of rain appearing at the start of race one with riders on slicks.

Front row starter Jake Farnsworth (Yamaha) immediately sensed his opportunity, bolting from the start in an all-the-way triumph. It was his first victory in the category, and he was understandably elated: “I knew I had to get to the front and build into the race. It’s been so much hard work to get here, so this one’s special.”

Olly Simpson (BCperformance Kawasaki) was second ahead of Mahaffy and McDonald, who adopted a more cautious approach at the start before finding some late speed. Tom Bramich (Yamaha) and Hayden Nelson (BCperformance Kawasaki) were fifth and sixth, while Tom Toparis (Stop and Seal Ducati) was the first Supersport Next Gen rider ahead of Luca Durning (DesmoSport Ducati #21) – a feat he would replicate in race two.

The second outing saw riders on wet tyres on a drying track, making tyre management critical. Toparis and Simpson immediately settled into a nice rhythm, and were 1-2 across the finish line ahead of Nelson, Farnsworth, McDonald, Mahaffy and Mitch Simpson (Yamaha #66).

Simpson (199pts) is now second in the standings, moving past McDonald (195pts), while Mahaffy (220pts) still leads. Nelson (165pts), Bramich (155pts) and Farnsworth (147pts) fill positions 4-6.

Round Results

1. Olly Simpson – 45 Points
2. Jake Farnsworth – 43 Points
3. Hayden Nelson – 35 Points
4. Archie Mcdonald – 35 Points
5. Jack Mahaffy – 34 Points

Championship Points

1. Jack Mahaffy – 220 Points
2. Olly Simpson – 199 Points
3. Archie Mcdonald – 195 Points
4. Hayden Nelson – 165 Points
5. Tom Bramich – 155 Points

Race and Road Supersport 300

Three very different scenarios for the Race and Road Supersport 300 field, with race one held on a wet track, race two in drying conditions and race three on dry asphalt.

Through it all, championship leader Scott Nicholson (Kawasaki) showed the most composure with a 2-1-3 scorecard to claim the overall from Tyler King (Kawasaki, 1-15-2 #128), Jordy Simpson (Yamaha, 4-9-5), Tara Morrison (Kawasaki, 3-DNF-1) and Phoenix O’Brien (Yamaha, 5-2-14 #85).

Meanwhile, surprise polesitter Ghage Plowman (Yamaha) elected to sit out the races, instead focussing on his BLU CRU Oceania Junior Cup commitments.

Attrition was its highest in race one, with 17 riders going down – including Morrison and three others on the sighting lap. The first attempt at the race was red-flagged after Riley Nauta (Kawasaki #42) crashed at turn six and required medical assistance. He was okay, and returned for the balance of the program.

With an imposing lead of 67pts over Morrison (292 to 225), it’s now Nicholson’s championship to lose. Simpson (208pts), Jake Paige (Kawasaki, 190pts #55), King (190pts) and Hudson Thompson (Yamaha, 186pts #41) are next, with Simpson making the biggest inroads at Phillip Island – up from fifth to third.

Championship Points

1. Scott Nicholson – 292 Points
2. Tara Morrison – 225 Points
3. Jordy Simpson – 208 Points
4. Jake Paige – 190 Points
5. Tyler King – 190 Points

BLU CRU Oceania Junior Cup

The 2025 BLU CRU Oceania Junior Cup (OJC) redefined the meaning of close racing when round four was held at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on September 6-7.

It was mesmerising from start to finish, kicked off in spectacular fashion when 20 riders and their striking Yamaha YZF-R15s flashed across the line separated by just 1.648 seconds in race one. Xavier Curmi came out of the Saturday rolling scrum with the biggest smile before New Zealand wildcard Lucas Hyslop (#31) and Callum Campbell (#26) won the two races on Sunday. With slipstreaming a key battlefront at Phillip Island, it was nigh on impossible for riders to break free, which placed an extra premium on racecraft and again emphasised why the class is the perfect launching pad to begin circuit racing.

Campbell (11-2-1) and Curmi (1-5-7) finished on equal top-scoring points at Phillip Island, with the former awarded the overall courtesy of a higher finishing position in race three.

Hunter Charlett (4-6-2 #73) was third overall, which helped him move up from fifth to fourth in the championship on 176pts. At the front, Connor Lewis (222pts #77) is the new leader in the official Australian Junior Road Race Championship class over Chaz Williams (213pts) and Curmi (179pts).

The weekend started well for Williams – who had led the OJC standings from race one at Sydney Motorsport Park – when he was second in race one after starting from the front row of the grid, before he went down within sight of the finish line in race two. That saw Lewis take over the championship lead, which he extended to 9pts in race three when he finished third and Williams was sixth. But with two rounds and six races still remaining, the 2025 OJC battle is still exceptionally wide open.

The penultimate round will be held at One Raceway from October 3-5, alongside the 2025 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul.

Championship Points

1. Connor Lewis – 222 Points
2. Chaz Williams – 213 Points
3. Xavi Curmi – 179 Points
4. Hunter Charlett – 176 Points
5. Rossi McAdam – 169 Points

Meanwhile, expressions of interest are now open for riders aged between 11 and 16 to join the OJC grid in 2026. The OJC is officially part of the global Road to MotoGP program and supported by the FIM and FIM Oceania with dedicated coaching, rider training, media and PR development and a host of high-performance training programs.

All detailed ASBK Championship class results are here…

The post ASBK Round Six 2025 Report | Waters extends lead as ecstatic West lands winning blow appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

West, a seasoned competitor with an extensive career in MotoGP, World Supersport, and various international racing championships, brings decades of experience to the partnership. His aggressive yet calculated racing style demands top-tier protection, making Kabuto Helmets the perfect fit for his 2025 campaign.

Read our special exclusive Kabuto feature here…

“I’m thrilled to be partnering with Kabuto,” said West. “Their helmets offer incredible aerodynamics, lightweight design, and uncompromising safety, everything a rider needs to stay protected at the highest levels of competition. I’m excited to put their gear to the test on the track this season.”

Kabuto Helmets, a brand with a strong reputation for innovation and cutting-edge helmet technology, expressed enthusiasm about welcoming West to their roster of elite riders.

“We are proud to have Anthony West represent Kabuto Helmets in 2025,” said Chris Lynis, Kabuto Helmets Australian brand manager. “His experience and passion for racing align perfectly with our brand values. We look forward to supporting him throughout the season.”

Read our Kabuto reviews here… Check out Pit Lane Studio imagery here…

As West embarks on his 2025 racing journey, fans can expect to see him sporting the Kabuto brand, engineered for superior performance and safety. His collaboration with the brand further solidifies Kabuto’s presence in the world of professional motorcycle racing.

For more information on Anthony West and Kabuto Helmets, visit www.kabuto.com.au or follow their social media channels for the latest updates.

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Waters won all three races in the SW-MOTECH Superbike class, as he completed a flawless season opener on the McMartin Racing Ducati. Waters’ fellow hard-nosed veterans Mike Jones (Yamaha Racing Team) and Anthony West (Addicted to Track Yamaha) were second and third overall in round one, while Archie McDonald (Stop and Seal Yamaha) and Scott Nicholson (Kawasaki) were the leading point-scorers in the Kawasaki Supersport and Race and Road Supersport 300 classes after three days of scintillating high-speed action.

“I could not be happier with how this weekend has gone, although it certainly wasn’t as easy as it looked,” said Waters. “But I was super happy with how my McMartin Ducati performed, and this result has certainly put down a very solid foundation for the 2025 season. Racing is still a huge passion for me, and I enjoy competing – and celebrating success – with family and friends.”

Race One

Waters’ superiority in the 11-lap race one started from the get-go when he barrelled into turn one with the lead, followed by Cam Dunker (MotoGo Yamaha) and Jones. That’s as close as the field got to him, although West – who started on the front row alongside Waters – was an early threat after he moved into second on lap two.

West reduced the gap to about half a second with a scorching 1:31.669 on lap three, but Waters’ immediate response was a 1:31.599, which was all the impetus he needed to start the year with maximum points.

The final winning margin was well over four seconds from West, who briefly lost the runner-up position to Jones at turn 10 on the final lap before the Moto2 GP winner performed a swift cutback to regain the ascendancy.

Ducati pair Glenn Allerton (Superbike Advocates Racing) and Broc Pearson (DesmoSport Ducati) were next home, with the top eight completed by Max Stauffer (Yamaha Racing Team), John Lytras (Yamaha) and Cru Halliday (Stop and Seal Yamaha).

Tom Edwards (Motoschool Racing Yamaha) and Jonathan Nahlous (Yamaha) made impressive rookie debuts to see out the top 10, while Dunker was one of three DNFs after crashing on lap nine while running fourth.

Race One Results

1. Josh Waters
2. Anthony West (+4.404)
3. Mike Jones (+4.421)
4. Glenn Allerton (+13.809)
5. Broc Pearson (+14.013)

Race Two

In race two, Waters was again in runaway mode, but this time, Jones turned the tables on West as Broc Pearson (DesmoSport Ducati) edged out race one faller Cameron Dunker (MotoGo Yamaha) in a gripping battle for fourth. Glenn Allerton (Superbike Advocates Racing Ducati), Stauffer and Cru Halliday (Stop and Seal Yamaha) completed the top eight.

Race Two Results

1. Josh Waters
2. Mike Jones (+2.661)
3. Anthony West (+2.725)
4. Broc Pearson (+8.758)
5. Cameron Dunker (+8.863)

Race Three

It only took about 10 seconds of race three for the first flashpoint, with Pearson – who came home with a wet sail in race two – going down at turn one after being clipped and forced wide.

Halliday (flat tyre) and Allerton (mechanical) also failed to finish race three, leaving Waters, Jones and West to be followed home in the 11-lapper by the fast-starting Dunker, Jonathan Nahlous (Yamaha), Lytras, Stauffer and Ryan Yanko (Addicted to Track Yamaha).

Josh Waters’ 17th and 18th SW-MOTECH Superbike victories at Phillip were achieved with brutal efficiency, as he sling-shotted off the line on both occasions and then immediately knuckled down to build unassailable leads.

Waters’ three wins and a pole position saw him bank a maximum 76pts (there’s a bonus point for pole position) in round one, from Mike Jones (58), Anthony West (56), Max Stauffer (43) and John Lytras (40).

Race Three Results

1. Josh Waters
2. Mike Jones (+2.108)
3. Anthony West (+2.146)
4. Cameron Dunker (+12.664)
5. Jonathan Nahlous (+17.035)

Championship Points

1. Josh Waters – 76 Points
2. Mike Jones – 58 Points
3. Anthony West – 56 Points
4. Max Stauffer – 43 Points
5. John Lytras – 40 Points

Kawasaki Supersport

Archie McDonald now has seven wins and 11 podiums from 24 starts in the Kawasaki Supersport class, as the 18-year-old’s stocks continue to rise at a rapid rate. His 1-1 scorecard saw him get the better of Stop and Seal Yamaha teammate Jack Mahaffy on both occasions, while Tom Bramich (Yamaha) and Olly Simpson (BCperformance Kawasaki) shared the third places.

Race one was the more intense of the two, with Mahaffy managing to pierce McDonald’s defences a couple of times – but his leadership was fleeting as McDonald immediately regained the top spot. Bramich and Simpson, making his ASBK Kawasaki Supersport debut, were third and fourth in race one, followed by rookie Cameron Swain (Yamaha) and Hayden Nelson (BCperformance Kawasaki).

The pace was a lot slower in slippery race two conditions, but the same riders battled at the front of the field – minus Swain who went down early on. McDonald won by nearly a second from Mahaffy, with Simpson, Bramich, Jake Farnsworth (Yamaha) and Marcus Hamod (Honda) filling the top six positions.

In a sometimes wild and woolly Kawasaki Supersport finale, Jack Mahaffy snapped Stop and Seal Yamaha teammate Archie McDonald’s two-race winning streak to bring up his third win in the category. The start of the race saw Olly Simpson (BCperformance Kawasaki), Mahaffy, McDonald and Tom Bramich (Yamaha) constantly swap positions, and on lap seven Mahaffy and McDonald nearly collided at turn four.

That was the trigger point to take a deep breath and, with Simpson soon losing the tow, it boiled down to a race of three.

Round Results

1. Archie Mcdonald – 71 Points
2. Jack Mahaffy – 65 Points
3. Olly Simpson – 51 Points
4. Jake Farnsworth – 46 Points
5. Declan van Rosmalen – 43 Points

Championship Points

1. Archie Mcdonald – 71 Points
2. Jack Mahaffy – 65 Points
3. Olly Simpson – 51 Points
4. Jake Farnsworth – 46 Points
5. Declan van Rosmalen – 43 Points

Race and Road Supersport 300

Following Tara Morrison’s maiden Race and Road Supersport 300 victory on Friday, it was then the turn of Jordy Simpson (Yamaha) to steal the limelight. Simpson’s win was also a reward for perseverance, with the South Aussie finishing on the Supersport 300 podium six times in 2024 without standing on the top step.

He’s now put that bogey to bed, winning race two after coming from the clouds on the final lap with the fastest lap of the race. His powerful work was rewarded with a tight win over Hudson Thompson (Yamaha) and Scott Nicholson (Kawasaki).

Valentino Knezovic (Yamaha), who finished runner-up in the 2024 championship, recovered from a hapless race one to finish fourth, ahead of Kawasaki pair Oliver Short and Morrison. Sam Drane’s already a junior dirt track star, and now he’s a Race and Road Supersport 300 winner!

The 14-year-old – yes, you read correctly – won another extraordinarily tight battle in Sunday’s third and final race on his Yamaha to make it three different winners across the round. Again, the race came down to precious millimetres, as 18 riders flashed across the finish line 2.2 seconds apart.

After being in the mix in the first two races without quite getting the job done, this time Drane wouldn’t be denied as he inched his way to the front on the second last lap and then kept down the shutters. Scott Nicholson (Kawasaki) was second from 15-year-old Hudson Thompson, followed by Jordy Simpson (Yamaha), Tara Morrison (Kawasaki) and Valentino Knezovic (Yamaha).

Simpson (2-3-4) was the overall round winner from Nicholson (3-3-2), who defeated Morrison (1-6-5) on a countback after they both finished on the same points. Thompson (5-2-3) and Drane (8-8-1) saw out the top five.

Race and Road Supersport 300 Championship Points

1. Jordy Simpson – 62 Points
2. Tara Morrison – 56 Points
3. Scott Nicholson – 56 Points
4. Hudson Thompson – 53 Points
5. Sam Drane – 51 Points

All detailed ASBK Championship class results for Round One are here…

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As a key stepping stone to the premier Superbike class, the Supersport series continues to develop the next generation of elite riders.

Several top contenders in the 2025 Superbike roster, including Broc Pearson, Cameron Dunker, Tom Toparis, and Jonathan Nahlous, honed their skills in the Supersport category before making the leap to the premier class. The series provides an essential platform for riders to refine their race craft without the challenge of managing extreme horsepower.

The 2025 Kawasaki Supersport Championship will kick off at the season-opening round of the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK) at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on February 21-23.

With Kawasaki’s backing, the Supersport class is set for an electrifying season, reinforcing its reputation as a crucial proving ground for future Superbike champions.

Since the debut of its Ninja ZX-6R in 1995, adorned in Kawasaki’s signature lime green livery first seen in 1968, the brand has been a dominant force in the Australian Supersport Championship, securing its first title in 1996 with Kevin Curtain, followed by Damon Buckmaster in 1998 and Andrew Pitt in 1999.

In 2025, Kawasaki’s Supersport campaign will be led by the BCperformance team, featuring Hayden Nelson and new recruit Olly Simpson, competing in a highly competitive field of veterans, rising teenage stars, returning Aussie internationals, and promising graduates from the Supersport 300 class, including last year’s Kawasaki-mounted champion, Josh Newman.

Gina Costello, Lead Brand Marketing Specialist, Kawasaki Motors Australia:

“Kawasaki is incredibly proud to extend the support of the ASBK Championship and become the naming rights sponsor of the Supersport category.

“Production-based racing has been a cornerstone of Kawasaki motorcycle development for decades and is an integral part of the iconic Ninja’s DNA.

“The Ninja ZX-6R is an exceptionally competitive platform for riders to challenge for the championship and, through this partnership, Kawasaki is enthusiastically contributing to the future of racing in Australia.”

Peter Doyle, CEO, Motorcycling Australia:

“It’s great to see Kawasaki committing to the ongoing success of the Supersport category and, more broadly, the continued growth of the ASBK Championship.

“Kawasaki’s motorcycle racing pedigree is legendary, and to have such an iconic marque joining the ASBK paddock is a major boost.

“The Supersport class has delivered superb racing over the last few years, and I fully expect we’ll be witnessing more of the same in 2025.”

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Max Stauffer, a long time Yamaha rider who has progressed quickly through the ranks, will join the Yamaha team to contest the Superbike division at the Australian Superbike Championship in 2025. The 21-year-old enjoyed a breakout season in 2024 to finish fourth in the championship, highlighted with podium results at several rounds this season. With the support of the in-house Yamaha team, Stauffer expects the steep learning curve to continue and believes the 2025 season will be his best yet.

“Getting the phone call from John Redding offering me the YRT ride for next season was one of the best calls I have ever had,” Stauffer beams. “It’s been a goal of mine to get the opportunity to ride for YRT and now that I have been able to make that happen, I plan on making the most of the chance I have been given.

“Mike and Cru have showed the bike is clearly capable of winning at every track and the team has the knowledge and experience to help me become a better rider. I can’t wait to get to work with the team and start the next phase of my career.

“Thank you to all the people who have helped me get to this point and the years of hard work my family have put in. This is what we have all worked so hard for and now that I’m in this position, I won’t let anyone down,” Stauffer ends.

Back for his fourth year with YRT is Mike Jones. Since joining the Yamaha squad in 2022, Jones has been a model of consistency and professionalism on and off the track with results to prove he is one of Australia’s premier riders.

Jones was second in the 2024 championship, racking up round wins at Queensland Raceway and Morgan Park as well as race wins at One Raceway and The Bend as he took the championship chase all the way down to the final race of the season.

But coming so close to victory in 2024 is what is motivating him for 2025, and Jones already has plans in place for next season and is eager to continue his successful relationship with the team.

“My relationship with Yamaha and YRT has been very successful and one that we both wanted to continue,” Jones begins. “In the three years with the team we have finished first, fifth and second in the ASBK Championship and we’re focused on winning another one next year.

“YRT are a dedicated and professional team who I enjoy working with and I genuinely love the feeling of racing the Yamaha R1M. I’m also really excited to be teammates with Max next year. He is an exciting young talent, and we get along well off the track too. I think his youthful enthusiasm will be an added boost for us all and I look forward to another fun and successful racing season.”

Team owner, John Redding, anticipates both riders raising the bar again in 2025 and believes both are capable of outstanding results in the ASBK championship.

“Mike and Max will be a formidable team in 2025 as they are dedicated and determined riders willing to challenge themselves and the team to be better. Off the track they are also polite and well-respected riders among their peers and good ambassadors for the Yamaha brand.

“I would also like to take the time to thank Cru Halliday for his passion and efforts for YRT over the past decade. Cru had been with us for a long time and YRT has played a big part in his career, and he will always be a part of the Yamaha / YRT family. We wish him well for the future and YRT will always be there to assist him if required.

“The team are already hard at work for the 2025 season and the pre-season will come around quickly so there is no time to rest,” Redding said.

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mi-bike insurance Australian Superbike

With a strong crosswind blowing through the new motorsport hub in Goulburn, the Quenslander’s 1-3 finishes across the two Pirelli Superbike races were the standout, and also ensured he remains in the championship hunt at The Bend grand finale from November 8-10.

Read our ASBK content here…

After his first overall win in the Superbike class, Pearson is now on 219.5pts, behind Josh Waters (McMartin Racing Ducati, 256.5) and Mike Jones (Yamaha Racing Team, 229.5). Jones won race two at One Raceway, but Pearson’s sheer consistency was the calling card in a day of attrition that saw a number of leading lights fail to greet the chequered flag.

“It’s been a really exciting and fun weekend for the team,” said Pearson. “We’ve been at the pointy end of the field and scored a round win. It ticks another box by leading from start to finish in race one and then wrapped it up with a third in race two. I’m really grateful for the team, and we’re becoming contenders week in and week out.”

Jones was second overall at round six with his 8-1 scorecard, followed by Waters (5-2) and Arthur Sissis (Stop and Seal Yamaha, 6-4).

Race One

Race one was eventually decided as a nine-lap flyer after the first attempt was red-flagged when Bryan Staring (MotoGo Yamaha) crashed at turn 10 and required medical attention – a wretched result for the veteran who had only announced his impending retirement. The restart didn’t foil the determination of Pearson, though, who led from start to finish to win his second Superbike race in a row, breaking the back of the field with some rapid opening few laps.

Pearson finished ahead of a fast Anthony West (Addicted to Track Yamaha), as rookie teenager Cameron Dunker (Penrite Racing Yamaha) banked his first Superbike podium with a brilliant last-lap pass on teammate Max Stauffer. Waters was fifth, followed by Sissis, John Lytras (Yamaha) and a lacklustre Jones who had started from pole position.

Meanwhile, Cru Halliday (Yamaha Racing Team) didn’t take to the track after his massive highside in Thursday practice – despite gritting his teeth through official practice and qualifying.

Race One Results

1. Broc Pearson
2. Anthony West (+0.726)
3. Cameron Dunker (+1.840)
4. Max Stauffer (+2.291)
5. Josh Waters (+3.642)

Race Two

The second stanza was a carbon copy of race one, with the race red-flagged on lap five after a nasty highside by Stauffer at turn two that also caught out West and Dunker, who were running line astern. Stauffer – still not back to 100 percent fitness after breaking six ribs and puncturing his lung in a crash at Phillip Island – was precluded from taking part in the restart for causing the red flag, while Dunker was also a scratching without a spare Yamaha to fall back on. West didn’t return either, but all riders escaped without major injuries.

That left a depleted 12-bike field to go into battle, with Jones wasting no time in going into attack mode as he scored the holeshot and then led from start to finish to win by nearly 2.5 seconds from Waters, with Pearson in third from Sissis, Lytras and Ty Lynch (Yamaha).

“That was far better than race one,” said Jones, who brought up his fifth win for the year, one more than Waters. “We worked on the bike between races and turned it around.”

Jones’ dominance also extended to a new lap record, as well as ensuring the Pirelli Superbike battle continues to The Bend. Ryan Yanko (Yamaha) and Glenn Allerton (GT Racing) were seventh and eighth, with the latter on his spare BMW after a heavy spill in race one.

Race Two Results

1. Mike Jones
2. Josh Waters (+2.406)
3. Broc Pearson (+5.610)
4. Arthur Sissis (+9.270)
5. John Lytras (+12.485)

Championship Points

1. Josh Waters – 256.5 Points
2. Mike Jones – 229.5 Points
3. Broc Pearson – 219.5 Points
4. Cru Halliday – 173 Points
5. Max Stauffer – 161 Points

Michelin Supersport

Stop and Seal Yamaha rider Jack Mahaffy seized the moment at One Raceway, with his 1-2 scorecard easily securing the overall spoils ahead of Jonathan Nahlous (Yamaha, 2-4) and Hayden Nelson (Kawasaki, 3-3). Mahaffy’s victory in race one was his first in Michelin Supersport, and he added some cream on his breakout performance with the inaugural lap record (1:00.859) on the circuit.

Mahaffy’s teammate and polesitter Archie McDonald was seemingly on track to claim victory in the opener before he went down just before the halfway mark after losing the front at turn seven. Mahaffy then filled the void, while Nahlous finished a fighting second after circulating in sixth early on. Nelson was third from Olly Simpson (Yamaha), Tom Bramich (Yamaha) and Sean Condon (Yamaha).

McDonald would not repeat the same crashing faux pas twice, and in race two he passed long-time leader Mahaffy on lap 11 and won his third race of the year – the Albury ace also setting a new lap record of 1:00.588. Mahaffy was second, with Nelson bringing up a brace of third positions.

In terms of the championship, race two was significant, with Nahlous’ closest challenger Simpson crashing out of third position. As a result, Nahlous now leads by 40pts (238 to 198) heading into the final round at The Bend from November 8-10. If the teenager keeps his powder dry in South Australia, he will be crowned the Aussie champion. Simpson is now seriously feeling the heat in the battle for second from Bramich (195), Jake Farnsworth (Yamaha, 193) and McDonald (190). Mahaffy (152pts) has catapulted into sixth position.

Meanwhile, Condon was fifth in race two after a tight stoush with Farnsworth and Glenn Nelson (Yamaha), while Bramich was eighth. The Michelin Supersport riders also continued their battle for honours in the FIM Oceania Circuit Racing Championship at One Raceway, which Hayden Nelson leads on 65pts from Mahaffy, Nahlous and Bramich all on 62.

Race One Results

1. Jack Mahaffy
2. Jonathan Nahlous (+3.021)
3. Hayden Nelson (+4.737)
4. Olly Simpson (9.035)
5. Tom Bramich (+9.398)

Race Two Results

1. Archie Mcdonald
2. Jack Mahaffy (0.073)
3. Hayden Nelson (+11.409)
4. Jonathan Nahlous (+13.634)
5. Sean Condon (+19.135)

Championship Points

1. Jonathan Nahlous – 238 Points
2. Olly Simpson – 198 Points
3. Tom Bramich – 195 Points
4. Jake Farnsworth – 193 Points
5. Archie Mcdonald – 190 Points

Race and Road Supersport 300

The Race and Road Supersport round saw three different winners – Kawasaki duo Josh Newman and Casey Middleton, and Yamaha pilot Will Nassif – but it was Middleton who was the overall winner thanks to a trio of podium visits that no other rider could match. The first and third races followed the normal pattern of going to the wire, but Middleton’s winning margin in race two was a comparative walk in the park as he crossed the finish line with over two seconds to spare – light years in Supersport 300 terms.

Other riders to finish on the podium at One Raceway were Jordan Simpson (Yamaha), Calvin Moylan (Yamaha) and polesitter Valentino Knezovic (Yamaha). Knezovic’s championship aspirations received a huge dent in race one when he crashed, although he did remount and snare some points in 14th position. Kiwi hard-charger Jesse Stroud fared even worse, crashing out of the opening two races.

Newman extended his lead to 32pts (334 to 302) over Knezovic, while Harrison Watts (Kawasaki, 297) remains in third.

Championship Points

1. Joshua Newman – 334 Points
2. Valentino Knezovic – 302 Points
3. Harrison Watts – 297 Points
4. Jordan Simpson – 261 Points
5. Will Nassif – 259 Points

ShopYamaha R3 Cup

A trio of trifectas in round two of the ShopYamaha R3 Cup! Will Nassif, Jordan Simpson and Valentino Knezovic filled positions 1-3 in the three races, which typically all went down to the wire with wafer-thin margins deciding the outcomes. Polesitter Jesse Stroud was the only other rider who could circulate with the same pace as the leaders, but after finishing fourth in race one, the New Zealander didn’t start the balance of the program as his weekend turned sour.

William Hunt, Hudson Air and John Pelgrave also scored top-five R3 Cup finishes. Knezovic (124pts) leads with one round remaining over Nassif (111) and Simpson (111), who are deadlocked in equal second.

Championship Points

1. Valentino Knezovic – 124 Points
2. Will Nassif – 111 Points
3. Jordan Simpson – 111 Points
4. William Hunt – 91 Points
5. Jesse Stroud – 82 Points

Oceania Junior Cup

Hunter Corney now has one hand on the 2024 bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup trophy following a flawless outing for the 13-year-old at One Raceway from October 4-6 as part of the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul.

Corney’s clean sweep came with winning margins of between one and three seconds as he prevailed in race one ahead of Ethan Johnson and Phoenix O’Brien before Connor Lewis and Johnson completed the podiums in the balance of the fixture. As is so often the case, the tempo increased across the weekend, with Corney finally dropping the lap record to 1m05.1145s in race three on his #40 Yamaha YZF-R15.

Two rounds remain in the championship, including a high-profile support act at the 2024 Qatar Airways Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island from October 18-20, where the junior academy stars will compete in front of thousands of spectators and meet their Yamaha MotoGP heroes, including flying Frenchman Fabio Quartararo. Corney will take a 61pt (280 to 219) lead over Johnson into Phillip Island, where another sizzling display could see him build an unassailable lead with one round to spare. Nikolas Lazos is third on 183pts from Hunter Charlett (172) and Elijah Andrew (160).

Championship Points

1. Hunter Corney – 280 Points
2. Ethan Johnson – 219 Points
3. Nikolas Lazos – 183 Points
4. Hunter Charlett – 172 Points
5. Elijah Andrew – 160 Points

All detailed ASBK Championship class results are here…

The 2024 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul will continue at Round 7: The Bend, SA, November 8-10.

ASBK Round Six Gallery

The post ASBK Round Six Report | Broc Pearson shines at One Raceway appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

After a multi-million-dollar transformation to the venue, which includes new and improved turns, a complete resurface, safety upgrades and more spectator-friendly viewing, ASBK will return to One Raceway for the first time since 2022 – the first major championship of any motorsport persuasion in Australia to christen the upgraded facility.

Read our 2024 ASBK reports from rounds one through five here…

With higher average speeds and additional passing opportunities, the racing at One Raceway is expected to go up a notch from the torrid battles we’ve already witnessed at the 12-turn venue over the last three decades And with tyre life – or heightened degradation – set to be an X-factor on the resurfaced layout, there’s going to be plenty of intrigue, especially in the high-horsepower Pirelli Superbike and Michelin Supersport classes.

Another unique One Raceway feature that has been incorporated into the circuit’s new design is the ability to race in both directions, with this weekend’s action to be held in the traditional clockwise guise.

As well as the regular ASBK classes – Pirelli Superbike, Michelin Supersport, Race and Road Supersport 300, ShopYamaha R3 Cup and the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup – there will be more star attraction at One Raceway with Red Bull Ampol Racing driver Broc Feeney returning to his family’s hometown of Goulburn to feature in a demonstration display on Saturday, October 5.

Feeney will not only circulate in the Holden Commodore in which he claimed his first Supercars Championship victory as a rookie in the 2022 Adelaide 500, but fans will also be treated to a parade lap in the 2024 Chevrolet Camaro alongside his father Paul, a former Superbike and production racing hard-charger, who will return to two wheels for this special event.

Paddock access is free for spectators at One Raceway, and off-track activities at the three-day event will include the popular pit walks and autograph sessions. Kids 12 and under are free, and Friday is free for everyone! Check out the ticket prices in the link below.

To purchase tickets for One Raceway, click here. Tickets will also be available at the gate. Download the Free Round 6 Program here… 

The post ASBK Championship Round 6 at One Raceway This Weekend! appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

Big Daz single-handedly ensured the beauty and engineering of the iconic machines – and many of the unique characters who rode them – were not forgotten. And he achieved it with modesty, passion and large doses of self-deprecating humour. He’d also make himself available at any hour of the day, without any personal gain: it was all about helping to keep the historic ‘show’ humming along.

In recent years Darren’s circuit racing focus was channelled into the Superbike Masters, which has become a popular support category at selected rounds of the Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK). As the Superbike Masters coordinator, the last round under Darren’s wise counsel was at this year’s Sydney Motorsport Park ASBK Night Race, where he not only managed to assemble another healthy grid but also organised a parade of ex-Aussie circuit racing legends to thrill the crowd.

In memory of Darren’s extraordinary legacy, the ASBK Management Team has made the decision to create the ‘Darren Lark Superbike Masters Cup Perpetual Trophy’…

Coordinating the Superbike Masters riders meant that Darren’s remit was wide-ranging – but he still found time to lend a hand, whether he was assisting seasoned historic competitors or new arrivals to the scene. He treated everyone – racers, officials and volunteers – with utmost respect, and would even offer his own classic bike(s) for people to race if their machines cried foul.

And, motivation pending, he’d still occasionally hit the racetrack himself  – and was super easy to spot with his signature #816 machines. He also threw a leg over a plethora of classic bikes over the years thanks to generous owners, and his own motorcycle collection was immense, including a beloved Honda SP1 which he purchased from new.

In memory of Darren’s extraordinary legacy, the ASBK Management Team has made the decision to create the ‘Darren Lark Superbike Masters Cup Perpetual Trophy’, which will be awarded to the overall winner of the Superbike Masters Cup starting at this year’s season-ending ASBK presentation at The Bend.

The next round of the Superbike Masters will be held at Phillip Island from September 7-8, where preparations are also being made to honour Darren with a special display of historic racing machines. At Phillip Island, Lark’s best mate, historic racing veteran Scott Webster, will also be officially taking over the reins as Superbike Masters coordinator.

“The passing of Darren was a tremendous shock to the ASBK fraternity, as he was one in a million: a selfless person who made huge impact everywhere he went, whether that was professionally or helping to further the cause of historic motorcycle racing,” said Peter Doyle, the CEO of Motorcycling Australia.

“You couldn’t help but admire his passion and enthusiasm, and he certainly leaves a massive void in the motorcycle racing landscape. The ASBK Management Team had no hesitation in creating the Superbike Masters Perpetual Trophy after him, and he will always be remembered as someone who put his heart and soul into everything he did”.

The post Superbike Masters perpetual trophy to be named in honour of Darren Lark appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

The support acts that took to the track for round two produced sensational racing as Stop & Seal’s Tom Toparis (Yamaha) triumphed in the Supersport class and Valentino Knezovic (Yamaha) came away with the win in the Race and Road Supersport 300 category.

Read our ASBK Round One 2024 Reports here…

mi-bike insurance Australian Superbike
The McMartin Racing man Josh Waters continued his strong form at the Western Sydney circuit to make it back-to-back across two seasons, while local Sydney rider Cru Halliday (Yamaha) brought home the chocolates with friends and family watching on. While Waters and Halliday were the ultimate stars of the show in the premier class, it was a dirty day for Troy Herfoss (Ducati), who was unable to take the grid in race one, following ongoing issues as a result of a crash in the warm-up session, and then crashed while leading on the second lap of race two.

Race One
With Herfoss failing to complete the warm-up lap due to an electrical gremlin, grid number three was left vacant for the start of race one, where McMartin Racing’s Harrison Voight (Ducati) made a great initial jump, but played cat and mouse with teammate Waters over the first couple of laps as the field sorted themselves out.

Waters retook the lead of the race on lap two and headed an angry pack of Superbikes that included Voight, Halliday, Yamaha Racing’s Mike Jones and Pearson. Lap three saw the red flag come out, as Matt Walters (Aprilia) made a spectacular crash at turn one, with all riders returning to pitlane as officials recovered the motorcycle.

At the restart, Waters again got a nice jump to lead the rescheduled 10-lap race from Voight, Halliday, Jones and Penrite Racing’s Max Stauffer (Yamaha). As the race reached the half-way mark, Waters remained in control of his opposition, but would go on a downward slide as his tyres started to wear and fell into the clutches of his closest rivals.

As Halliday passed Voight on lap seven, he then set off on a mission to chase after Waters, where he succeeded in his quest with a nice pass on lap nine. It was clear afterward that the tyre performance of Waters’ Ducati was shot as he came under attack from his teammate, but managed to not succumb to the pressure and held on for second, with Voight third.

Race One Top 5

1. Cru Halliday
2. Josh Waters (+0.526)
3. Harrison Voight (+0.271)
4. Mike Jones (+0.285)
5. Cameron Dunker (+6.567)

Race Two
As the rain arrived for race two, the racing initially got going under the lights, but the race was red-flagged moments later, as it became apparent that the track was too wet and greasy for the riders to safely navigate their way around.

With most changing to a wet tyre, just like the opening act, the second encounter was rescheduled to a 10-lap affair, as Waters again led off the start-line. Not a lap would go by before he was passed by the DesmoSport Ducati rider of Herfoss, who played pioneer of the slippery circuit ahead of the field.

His taste of front-running would be brief, however, as he came off at turn seven, which gave teammate Pearson the race lead. Pearson and Waters would dice at the front for several laps afterwards as the field behind gently cruised around the circuit, taking opportunities to make a pass where the risk of crashing was minimal. Not all riders were lucky to get through the race unscathed, as Glenn Allerton (BMW) crashed on lap nine in the same spot as Herfoss, which promoted Halliday forward.

True to the professional he is, Waters did what he needed to do by taking it easy to the finish line, greeting the chequered flag first and maintaining a solid lead in the championship ahead of Pearson, Stauffer and Halliday. “The conditions made it very sketchy, I was really lucky to have stayed on the motorcycle to cross the line first,” explained Waters. With a second-place finish in race two doubling with third overall for the round, Pearson also took great confidence from this event and looks forward to the season ahead.

Race Two Top 5

1. Josh Waters
2. Broc Pearson (+3.678)
3. Max Stauffer (+4.339)
4. Cru Halliday (+2.198)
5. Harrison Voight (+0.184)

Championship Points

1. Josh Waters – 109.5 points
2. Cru Halliday – 84 points
3. Harrison Voight – 82 points
4. Broc Pearson – 71.5 points
5. Mike Jones – 61.5 points

Michelin Supersport
Race One
Despite an initial red-flag brought out on the opening lap of race one due to a Luke Sanders (Yamaha) crash at turn four, it did little to deter Toparis’ mindset as he got a great jump over his competitors at the restart and it was immediately evident that he meant business, as he took off and was never headed by his rivals for the remainder of the rescheduled nine-lapper.

And that in itself was clear, with the lap record set on Michelin tyres giving a clear indication to the field that he was prepared to do what was necessary to put them away early and stay out in front.

With the race virtually over at the half-way mark, it was a battle against the rest as the field sorted themselves out with plenty of moves made. The most significant of the movers and shakers was Mark Chiodo (Honda), who from second on the grid fell to 10th. With Toparis crossing the finish line 3.384 seconds clear of Sean Condon (Yamaha), the top five was rounded out by Jonathan Nahlous (Yamaha), Jake Farnsworth (Yamaha) and Archie McDonald (Yamaha).

Race One Top 5

1. Tom Toparis
2. Sean Condon (+3.384)
3. Jonathan Nahlous (+0.058)
4. Jake Farnsworth (+6.341)
5. Archie Mcdonald (+2.322)

Race Two
The opening lap of race two saw the usual flurry of chaos with riders racing to the first couple of corners to get into the best position possible, but the field was quickly brought to a halt as a Hayden Nelson’s (Kawasaki) crash at turn three brought out the red flag. At the restart, points leader Nahlous threw a spanner in the works for the momentum of Toparis with a great jump to lead the opening lap, but it didn’t last long as the Stop & Seal man made a pass for the lead on the second lap. The next several laps saw plenty of great battles as Condon and Nahlous fought over second while Farnsworth and Chiodo had their own scrap for fourth.

With the intensity reaching a climax as the mission to obtain the best outcome possible became the clear focus, it all became too much for Condon and McDonald as they crashed simultaneously at turn four on the final lap, promoting those behind them up two positions.

At the finish line, it was Toparis, Nahlous, Farnsworth, Chiodo and Tom Bramich (Yamaha) rounding out the top five. “We achieved what we set out to do this weekend by taking pole position, two race wins and a new lap record in the Supersport class,” insisted a delighted Toparis. Despite not getting a win this weekend, Nahlous remains the championship leader and takes great confidence knowing he is in with a genuine shot of winning the Michelin Supersport Championship.

Race Two Top 5

1. Tom Toparis
2. Jonathan Nahlous (+2.952)
3. Jake Farnsworth (+4.686)
4. Mark Chiodo (+0.225)
5. Tom Bramich(+2.933)

Championship Points

1. Jonathan Nahlous -114
2. Jake Farnsworth – 85
3. Tom Bramich – 76
4. Olly Simpson – 70
5. Marcus Hamod – 66

Race and Road Supersport 300
Race One
It was Jesse Stroud (Kawasaki) who took the honours in race one under lights at Sydney in Race and Road Supersport 300.Topping the timesheets in practice, and then in qualifying, the Kawasaki racer fought a close battle with his fellow competitors over the eight-lapper, but ultimately came up short as Stroud stole the show under lights for race one. The top five was rounded out by Valentino Knezovic (Yamaha), Ryan Larkin (Yamaha) and Mitch Simpson (Yamaha).

Race Two
Aiming to go one better than his outing in race one on Friday night, Newman managed to do just that by leading from start to finish in race two to put himself in a great position heading into race three under lights sitting pretty. The field sorted themselves out behind him as second to sixth were caught in a constant jostle, with the top five at the chequered flag following Newman being Watts, Mitch Simpson (Yamaha), Jesse Stroud (Kawasaki) and Jordan Simpson (Yamaha).

Race Three
The start of race three saw the usual scrap for positions as Newman settled in and led the first three laps before the bunched up, slipstreaming action typically seen in this class shone through as riders jostled for position over the ensuing laps to the end. With the heightened intensity that comes with trying to finish in the best position possible at the chequered flag, it all came to a head on the final lap, when an attempted dive bomb by Stroud at turn nine went horribly wrong, as he crashed into Newman who was running third. With an opportunity for those behind to capitalise presenting itself, the mad rush to the finish resulted in a first ASBK victory for Knezovic followed by Will Nassif (Yamaha), Calvin Moylan (Kawasaki), Simpson and Watts.

Championship Points

1. Joshua Newman -106
2. Harrison Watts – 106
3. Valentino Knezovic – 97
4. Mitch Simpson – 92
5. Jordy Simpson – 83

Superbike Masters
The popular Superbike Masters class produced some great racing where the legendary motorcycles of old put on a great show, as part of the spectacle that was the ASBK Night Race. The race victories were taken out by Jack Passfield (Yamaha) in races one and two, while Keo Watson (Yamaha) got one back on the former in the final race of the weekend under lights.

Those to feature on the race podiums included Alex Phillis (Suzuki) and Josh Mathers (Yamaha), while Passfield was the overall round winner from Watson and Mathers.

Championship Points

1. Jack Passfield – 70
2. Keo Watson – 65
3. Josh Mathers – 48
4. Dean Oughtred – 47
5. Ryan Taylor – 45

Oceania Junior Cup
The two ‘Hunters’ – Corney and Charlett – captured most of the headlines in the ASBK Night Races, with the former claiming the overall honours with a 1-1-3 scorecard and the latter scoring his first class win in race three.

The OJC riders kicked of the racing at SMSP on Friday night, with Corney taking maximum advantage of pole position to win by nearly two seconds ahead of Ethan Johnson, with Nikolas Lazos close behind in third. Corney then produced another powerful performance in race two, using his smarts to cross the line first ahead of Charlett and Connor Lewis – the trio separated by less than half a second.

Rossi McAdam and Lazos completed the top five. “I felt like I did good in the race,” Corney beamed afterwards. “I had a two-second lead and made a mistake that enabled them to catch up to me which is where Charlett passed me on a few occasions. But luckily, I took him back and crossed the line first.”

In race three, Lewis led until lap three before he was passed by Corney and McAdam and then spectacularly crashed out. Corney then looked on track for a three-peat before he erroneously thought the race was over when he was heading into the final lap. He then relinquished the lead and dropped several positions, with Charllett the main benficiary as he claimed his first race win in OJC followed by McAdam, Corney, Lazos and Johnson. “It felt really good to win my first race in OJC,” said Charlett. “I had heaps of fun this weekend, as I was running around at the back of the grid last year, so to be at the front is a sign of how much I’ve improved in 12 months.”

All detailed ASBK Championship class results are here.

The 2024 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul will continue at Queensland Raceway for round three of the championship on April 26-28.

The post ASBK Round Two SMSP | Brilliant Waters Victorious Again appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

Download the full ASBK Round Two Program here…

And when Australia’s best riders aren’t punching and counterpunching around the 3.93km grand prix circuit, there’s a wide variety of activities for the whole family including the ASBK pit-walk and fan engagement experiences, and the opportunity to rub shoulders and grab an autograph and selfie from seven ASBK legends: Chris Vermeulen, Garry McCoy, Steve Martin, Troy Corser, Peter Goddard, Mat Madlin and Robbie Phillis.

Corser and fellow ASBK ambassador Steve Martin will also continue the popular ASBK Pillion Program for lucky patrons, while Corser, Vermeulen, McCoy and Phillis will also feature in a Superbike Masters parade on Saturday night.

Check out our ASBK Round One report here…

The ASBK Fan Zone and Trade Alley will also be in full swing, complete with a giant screen for the ASBK TV feed, manufacturer and industry displays and a wide variety of food options. For the kids, there’s the ASBK Mini Moto Program – a 50cc mini motorcycle experience that is free on Saturday afternoon, with all gear supplied.

ALPINETARS SUPERBIKE
The overriding question in the Alpinestars Superbike category is if anyone can interrupt the march of three-time champion Josh Waters and his McMartin Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R. After just missing out on a fourth ASBK title last year after being overrun by a fast-finishing Troy Herfoss, Waters is doubly keen and fully fit to reclaim the honour. The sample size in 2024 is still relatively small – three races at the Phillip Island opener in February – but Waters’s clean sweep at the seaside venue was a carbon copy of 2023.

Ominously, he then went onto score maximum points at Sydney Motorsport Park as well, so will history repeat itself in 2024? The lap record holder at Sydney Motorsport Park is undoubtedly the favourite, but it certainly wasn’t outright domination at Phillip Island as he was pushed to the limit by his teenage teammate Harrison Voight and Herfoss, now on a DesmoSport Ducati in an ‘event-by-event’ commission after winning last year’s championship on a Honda.

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While the trio ultimately battled for the race wins, it was just as intense behind as the likes of Yamaha Racing Team duo Cru Halliday and Mike Jones, Bryan Staring (MotoGo Yamaha) and Anthony West (Addicted to Track Yamaha) were involved in rolling scrums.

Waters may have won, but it was Voight who announced himself on the big stage in truly emphatic fashion. He’s not only second in the Alpinestars Superbike standings, but also set a new lap record around Phillip Island. Voight and Waters both won races at the western Sydney venue during the recently completed St George Summer Night Series and, with no team orders, Voight is primed to stand on the top step of the podium at least once before he begins his European Moto2 campaign in Italy next month.

And don’t discount Herfoss, who’s on a high after a superb performances in the King of the Baggers and Super Hooligans classes during his return to the American racing scene in Daytona. No doubt he will use that experience to his advantage alongside teammate Broc Pearson as he aims to defend his title – notwithstanding his commitments in America. Josh Waters opened his 2024 Alpinestars Superbike account with a clean sweep at Phillip Island. Meanwhile, the mercurial Halliday will be a definite threat in Sydney after a 2-3 scorecard in 2023, and the rejuvenated West – the reigning New Zealand Superbike champion – will be aiming to climb on the podium.

Then there is three-time champion Glenn Allerton (GT Racing BMW), who is back to somewhere near full fitness after a massive crash at Sydney Motorsport Park in February. And don’t forget the two youngsters in the class on the Penrite Racing Yamahas: best buddies Max Stauffer and Cameron Dunker. It’s Max’s third year in the class but for Dunker it will be his second meeting on the YZF-R1 after claiming last year’s Supersport Championship on the day he turned the spritely age of 16!

Arthur Sissis (Unitech Racing Yamaha) will again be pushing hard in the 24-rider field, while his fellow South Aussie Ty Lynch (AMR Motorsports Yamaha) will be making his Superbike debut after finishing third in the 2023 Supersport title. The two 13-lap Alpinestars Superbike races will be held at 4:55pm and 9:10pm on Saturday.

MICHELIN SUPERSPORT
The Michelin Supersport Championship has a new rising star on the scene in the shape of Jonathan Nahlous – and if Phillip Island is any indication, he will be a household name very soon. After serving his apprenticeship in the Oceania Junior Cup and Supersport 300 classes, “JJ” – as he prefers to be called – is now in his second year of Supersport, and he began the season in a blaze of glory at Phillip Island on his Yamaha.

He claimed new qualifying and lap records and backed it up with three dominant victories, the smallest winning margin by 2.4 seconds over Tom Bramich (Yamaha) in race three.bWhether he can continue that stellar form under lights in Sydney will be another matter as the Michelin Supersport field is the strongest it has been for some time with a healthy combination of experience and those graduating from the feeder classes.

One rider with plenty of experience is two-time Australian Supersport champion, Tom Toparis (Yamaha), who will hold off on his Superbike debut and remain in a class he knows well. Toparis is yet to score championship points after he focussed on a World Supersport wildcard at Phillip Island.

Other contenders in the two 11-lappers include the battle-hardened Olly Simpson (Yamaha), who’s second in the 2024 standings behind Nahlous and in front of Jake Farnsworth (Yamaha), Bramich – in comeback mode after a knee reconstruction in 2023 – reigning Supersport 300 champion Marcus Hamod (Honda), Hayden Nelson (Kawasaki), Archie McDonald (Yamaha) and Mark Chiodo (Honda).

RACE AND ROAD SUPERSPORT 300
The form guide for the Race and Road Supersport 300 category at Sydney Motorsport Park is wide open, so picking a winner is anyone’s guess. While there was a Czech ‘interloper’ at the first round – Petr Svoboda – who won two of the three races, he certainly got the hurry up from the local stars, including ex-OJC and FIM MiniGP champion Harrison Watts who has found a new life with a Kawasaki.

Another Kawasaki rider who impressed at the Island was Joshua Newman, who is second in the standings. Newman will be at his home track and knocking on the door for his first win in the class.

Yamaha quartet Ryan Larkin, Mitch Simpson, Valentino Knezovic and Lincoln Knight will also be in the mix, and there’s a sharp-shooter from New Zealand making his ASBK debut – Jesse Stroud (Kawasaki), the son of nine-time NZ Superbike champion, multiple Daytona Battle of the Twins winner and former 500GP and WorldSBK rider, Andrew Stroud. Jesse recently won the Supersport 300 class in both the NZ TT and NZ championship, and he’ll now attempt to carry that winning form over into the Race and Road Supersport 300 class in Sydney.

Unfortunately, one rising star who will be missing across the three eight-lap races is Tara Morrison (Kawasaki), the daughter of ex-stunt rider Allan Morrison. She crashed in last weekend’s combined Victoria-SA Championships at The Bend and broke a collarbone, which is a bitter pill to swallow after she claimed her maiden podium at Phillip Island.

BLU CRU OCEANIA JUNIOR CUP
The opening round of the 2024 bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup will be held at Sydney Motorsport Park, with the FIM Oceania and Dorna Sports-supported academy continuing to provide a clear pathway for riders to progress to international categories such as the Asia Talent Cup and Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup.

And in 2024 history has already been made with Jacob Roulstone, who was an OJC competitor in 2019 and is now a full-time world championship grand prix rider in the Moto3 class for KTM. And in more exciting news, the 2024 bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup now has Australian championship status as well.

With the little kids with big dreams strutting their talents alongside the best riders in Australia, all the riders will be aboard identical race-prepped Yamaha YZF-R15s.

SUPERBIKE MASTERS
The big historic machines return in 2024 across three rounds of the ASBK Championship, starting at the ASBK Night Race. Among the 25-strong entry list is Garry McCoy on a Yamaha TZ750, Alex Phillis on a Suzuki XR69, defending Superbike Masters champion Keo Watson on a Yamaha FZR1000, Ryan Taylor on a Suzuki Katana, Cory Glock on a Suzuki GSX-R750 and Robert Young on a Ducati 888.

All the machines are exquisitely prepared, so wander into the paddock – entry is free – to check them out and talk to the riders who have motorcycle racing history coursing through their bodies 24/7.

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