Daniel Falzon Claims Career-First Australian Superbike Pole Position, At Phillip Island

Daniel Falzon Claims Career-First Australian Superbike Pole Position, At Phillip Island

© 2017, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Australian Superbike Championship Presented by Motul Pirelli

Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit

Victoria, Australia

February 24, 2017

Qualifying Results:

1. Daniel Falzon (Yam YZF-R1), 1:32.742

2. Bryan Staring (Hon CBR1000RR SP), 1:33.134

3. Wayne Maxwell (Yam YZF-R1), 1:33.187

4. Troy Herfoss (Hon CBR1000RR SP), 1:33.220

5. Glenn Allerton (Yam YZF-R1), 1:33.848

6. Robbie Bugden (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:33.941

7. Josh Waters (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:33.950

8. Beau Beaton (Duc 1199 Panigale), 1:34.515

9. Mitchell Levy (Yam YZF-R1), 1:34.545

10. Matt Walters (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:34.741

11. Cru Halliday (Yam YZF-R1), 1:34.783

14. Troy Guenther (BMW S1000RR), 1:35.419

More, from a press release issued by Motorcycling Australia:

Falzon flies to first-career ASBK pole at Phillip Island

24 February 2017

Caterpillar Racing Yamaha’s Daniel Falzon will start the opening race of the 2017 Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship supported by Motul Pirelli (ASBK) from pole position after storming to the top-spot in qualifying at Phillip Island today.

After posting the quickest Yamaha Motor Insurance (YMI) Superbike time in free practice two earlier this afternoon, Falzon got straight down to business in the single 15 minute qualifying session at the 4.445km Victorian venue and clocked a 1m32.742s on lap two. It was a benchmark that was never topped.

“I’m speechless, really!” Falzon beamed after securing a career-first ASBK pole. “We managed to get our first pole position in the premier Superbike category and it’s a credit to everyone involved. We’ve worked so well in the off-season. I can’t believe we set a lap-time in the 32s, and not just in the 32s, but a 32.7s! Thank you to all of my supporters. We’re going to live this one up!”

Behind him came 2010 ASBK champion Bryan Staring (Crankt Protein Honda Racing CBR1000RR SP) in his return to the series.

Bryan said; “I had an interesting lead up into the first round in getting here. My boys did such a fantastic job the preparation on the bike, and I’m really glad that I could do what I’ve been trying to do in testing. I must say a big ‘thank you’ to my team for that. I was really glad to get a clear run without anything in my road. I am happy with the result”.

Starring finished 0.392s from pole, while 2013 title winner Wayne Maxwell (Yamaha Racing Team YZF-R1) completes the front row after edging out defending Champion Troy Herfoss (Crankt Protein Honda Racing, CBR1000RR SP). All four set times within 0.478s of each other.

Yamaha Racing Team’s Wayne Maxwell said; “The bike over the run feels good and I have a lot more confidence than I had before. We have good race pace, better than we’ve had on our previous tyre. I can’t wait to get out there to see what we can do over the race distance!” Maxwell finished.

Fifth on the grid will be triple Champion – 2008, 2011 and 2014 – Glenn Allerton (Yamaha Racing Team YZF-R1), but over a second in arrears of Falzon, who in turn leads Robbie Bugden (Kawasaki BC Performance ZX-10R), 2009,2012 Champion Josh Waters (Team Suzuki Ecstar GSX-R1000), Beau Beaton (Racer’s Edge Performance Ducati 1199), top rookie Mitch Levy (ATR Landbridge Trasport YZF-R1) and Matt Walters (Swann Insurance ZX-10R).

A total of 39 bikes will take to the grid in the YMI Superbikes at round one of seven, boasting an incredible assortment of eight different manufacturers to commence what’s shaping up to be a historic 2017 season.

The lights are scheduled to go out on race one of the 2017 ASBK championship at 9:15am local time on Saturday at Phillip Island, alongside the Yamaha Finance round of the Motul Superbike World Championship. There will be three 12 lap YMI Superbike races contested across the weekend.

Keep up to date with all things ASBK by visting the ASBK Facebook Page and Website for all the current news, results and media.


More, from another press release issued by Motorcycling Australia:

Chiodo blazes to Phillip Island ASBK Supersport pole

24 February 2017

Victorian rising star Mark Chiodo was untouchable in the Australian Motul Supersport Championship qualifying at Phillip Island’s opening round of the 2017 Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship supported by Motul Pirelli (ASBK) this afternoon, soaring to a dominant pole position.

The Repsol Gas Racing Triumph 675 R rider posted a fastest lap of 1m35.899s on his fifth and final circulation during the 15-minute session, just outside of the existing circuit best lap of 1m35.826s set by former national champion Shannon Johnson in 2009.

“It’s really good to take the first pole position of the year,” Chiodo reflected. “I mean, testing has all been good, but it’s another thing to bring it to the round and we’ve shown that we can do that.”

Posting ‘that time’ put Chiodo a full 1.657s ahead of Mason Coote (Mason Coote Racing YZF-R6) in second, while Ted Collins (Next Get Motorsport GSX-R600) will fill the three-rider front row of the talent-packed 35 rider grid.

“P2 in qualifying, I can’t believe it because I’ve had 14 months off the bike and it’s my first race in such a long time,” Coote said. “It’s only qualifying, but I’m over the moon. The bike’s working amazingly well – the Yamaha and Pirelli combination is unreal.”

Collins commented; “That ride was awesome! The bike’s been working well, Traction Control suspension and Next Gen Motorsports have put an awesome package together. I just went out there and did my best – it’s my first front row in ASBK, so I’m pumped.”

Defending national number three, Luke Mitchell (DPH Motorsports YZF-R6) will start out of fourth, 2.013s from the pole-time, after edging out impressive class newcomer and Supersport 300 graduate Sam Condon (Bikebiz YZF-R6).

Positions six through 10 belong to Nic Liminton (ARAI Center YZF-R6), Ryan Taylor (Pablo’s Motorcycle Tyres YZF-R6), Cambridge Olivier (Sydney West Riders Racing YZF-R6), Callum Alderson (AARK Racing YZF-R6) and Ben Burke (Yamaha YZF-R6) respectively.

Race one of the 2017 Australian Supersport Championship is scheduled to be contested across 10 laps at 4:10pm local time on Saturday, with two more races of the same duration due to take place on Sunday alongside round one of the Motul Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK).

Keep up to date with all things ASBK by visting the ASBK Facebook Page and Website for all the current news, results and media.

More, from another press release issued by Motorcycling Australia:

Battye secures ASBK Supersport 300 pole

24 February 2017

A determined line-up of Australian Supersport 300 Championship riders did battle on Friday at Phillip Island during round one of the 2017 Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli (ASBK), with Reid Battye (IPONE Ninja 300) capturing the first pole position of the season.

Battye (Up To 300) stormed to the top of the combined Over and Up To 300 time-sheets with a 1m51.525s, 0.182s ahead of practice pace-setter Tom Edwards (Steelline Ninja 300). Last year’s YMF R3 Cup winner Zac Levy (Puma RV’s YZF-R3) slotted into third overall and was the best of the Over 300 entries with a time of 1m51.862s.

“Qualifying went to plan and we got P1,” Battye said. “The bike felt unbelievable out there. There was a strong headwind, but I managed to get a few slip-streams down the straight and it paid off. So I’m really happy with this.”

Meanwhile, Levy will look to improve further once the lights go out in the races: “It’s definitely good to be first in the Over 300s. We were a bit off the pace in the practices and I was two and a half seconds from my best times here, but we got down to it in qualifying and that’s the main thing. Now I look forward to the races.”

Jack Passfield (Stay Upright YZF-R3) continued his strong run of form in fourth, ahead of Laura Brown (Shelk Ninja 300, 1:52.206), who completed a tight top-five. The top 10 was rounded out by defending Over 300 champion Brandon Demmery (Deborah Motorsports YZF-R3), Up To 300champion Drew Sells (Race Center Ninja 300), Oli Bayliss (Cube Racing Ninja 300), Billy van Eerde (KTM RC 390) and Jack Mahaffy (JDS Moto YZF-R3).

With 42 riders securing their place on the grid ahead of Saturday’s opening eight-lap race at 8:50am local time, three riders will be held as reserves, and the close-knit development category will contest its second race at 4:50pm.

Race three will grid up on Sunday alongside the opening round of the 2017 Motul Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK).

Keep up to date with all things ASBK by visting the ASBK Facebook Page and Website for all the current news, results and media.

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