A track with incredible memories for the DesmoSport crew with Mike Jones securing the ASBK championship aboard the DesmoSport Ducati Panigale 1299 Final Edition at the circuit in 2019, the entire team is looking forward to Broc Pearson getting back on board the Panigale V4 R in a unique two-day format for round two of the championship.

Read the SMSP round preview here…

Team co-owner, Ben Henry: “Phillip Island saw some uncharacteristic mistakes from our whole team and that led the way to Broc feeling uneasy on the bike. We were lucky enough to have some time with Pirelli at Phillip Island on the Monday following and it returned a lot of Broc’s confidence. We’ve taken a step back, really tightened up our processes, while also looking to find ways to keep increasing how comfortable Broc feels on the bike. 2023 is about allowing Broc to learn and grow as a rider while still making steps forward, so he can reach his full potential on a superbike and I think we’re set to see a good weekend unfold.”

Team co-owner, Troy Bayliss: “I’m really looking forward to seeing these guys race under lights. We’ve done some club racing in the Summer Series here over the last two years, and we ran the Ducati Track Day powered by DesmoSport Ducati under lights here in Sydney too, so while Broc hasn’t done a huge amount of laps at the track, we’ve been here, we’ve done pretty well here in the past and we have the ingredients to start working our way forward.”

Broc Pearson: “We tested well here, and I was able to race a few of the St George night races over summer to try and learn the track since I haven’t ever ridden a superbike around here before, and I’m feeling pretty good. I like the track, and it’s exciting to ride and watch under lights so I think it’s going to be a great weekend. Everyone in the team has put a lot of effort in after round one to make sure we finish the weekend where we should be, and I can’t wait to get on track later today.”

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Broc Pearson #4

• Qualified: 9th (1:32.835)
• Fastest Lap: 1:32.835
• Results: 10-9-11, 10th Overall
• Championship Standing: 10th

Team co-owner, Ben Henry: “It was a disappointing way to start the year that’s for sure. We’ve been really strong in testing with good lap times and results that have exceeded our expectations in the few local races we did, but that didn’t translate to results on the track this weekend. Yes, the weather played a factor, with us choosing to send Broc out on wets in the second part of race one, it didnt work out with the track drying, but the reality was we had nothing to lose based on our speed in the first half of the race. We spent some time supporting Pirelli with their Diablo SuperCorsa SC and SP launch on Monday and managed to get a few additional laps in with Broc to try a few things that the race weekend didn’t allow for and we’re motivated to put ourselves back where we belong.”

Broc Pearson: “We had a few issues over the weekend that didn’t come through in testing and it was difficult for me to push any harder than I was in the races. It was frustrating to race at a speed slower than what I know I’m capable of. I apologised to the team when I came in after race two, and the guys were pretty quick to correct me. We go well as a team, we have bad weekends as a team and no one person caused our problems this weekend. We’re all part of the solution, that’s what being in a team is about and we’re all putting everything in to getting my Panigale back up the grid.”

DesmoSport Ducati will now take the rest of the week to rest, recuperate and return to work before heading back in to the workshop next week with the teams Ducati Panigale V4 R superbikes.

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Team co-owner, Ben Henry: “The last time we raced in Sydney, it was on the Panigale 1299 Final Edition when we won the championship, so we’ve never actually turned any laps here on the Panigale V4 R. It’s a challenge for us, but one that’s actually pretty enjoyable. Broc dropped over 3 seconds a lap from his initial session on Friday night to his final race on Saturday night which is a fantastic result. We still have some work to do to drop around a second on the lap time to match the leaders, but we focussed on building Broc’s confidence as he learnt the track and we’ll continue on that path when we return here for the two-day ASBK official test in February.”

Team co-owner, Troy Bayliss: “Oli is home and Broc needs some track time on the bike, so we decided to race the St George Summer Series with both boys. Broc on the Panigale V4 R and Oli on Ben’s Panigale V2. It’s a really fun, fast race series and I think they had some fun racing each other again to be honest. With Broc, we’re taking things slowly, spending time on the basics to better understand how he gives feedback, and how the team needs to react to improve the bike for him.”

Broc Pearson: “I’ve never ridden a superbike at Sydney Motorsport Park, so I had a bit of learning to do, but I’m really happy with the progress we made this weekend. The team is taking a step-by-step approach that’s working really well as I get comfortable around the track. There’s a new direction with the electronic setup and I’m really just learning the impact of each change as I give the guys the feedback to make the bike easier to ride fast. In the end, I’m happy with the progress we’ve made and it’s great to be back on the bike. It was great to share the garage again with Oli and just like old times, I had him covered.”

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Team co-owner, Ben Henry: “Troy and I have known Broc through a lot of his career. He’s local to the Gold Coast, he’s mates with Oli and he’s pushed through a lot of adversity to achieve what he has in his racing career so far, so although it’s just a two-day test, I’m glad we could find a way to get him on one of our bikes alongside Bryan. The additional data will help us better prepare for the upcoming Morgan Park round next month and I’m looking forward to seeing how he adapts to our Panigale V4 R. As for racing the bike he tests on, the reality is that Broc would have to be really fast at the test, and we’d need to secure some additional financial support, so I’d say it’s unlikely at this point.”

Broc Pearson: “I just want to thank Benny and TB for the opportunity to ride one of Bryan’s bikes. I’ve been into them a bit on some group chats and when I go past the workshop to let me have a ride, but I’ve pretty much done that for the last 2 years, sort of half-jokingly really, knowing that DesmoSport wasn’t going to have any rides readily available. When Troy called last week and said that he and Ben had an opportunity to ride the Panigale V4 R if I was interested, I jumped at the chance. It’s only for the two-day test at Morgan Park, but I’m pretty excited to get on one of the fastest bikes in the country.”

Team co-owner, Troy Bayliss: “Broc’s found himself in an unfortunate position this season, but I’m glad we found a way at least get him on track at the test. He’s a good kid, full of confidence and a fast rider. He knows his way around Morgan Park too, so it’s a good opportunity for him to have some fun and show everyone what he can do on a superbike.”

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