Yamaha Finance Australian Superbike Championship Presented by Motul Pirelli

Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit

Victoria, Australia

February 25, 2017

Race One Results:

1. Daniel Falzon (Yam YZF-R1), 11 laps, Total Race Time 17:20.909, Fastest Lap Time 1:33.601

2. Glenn Allerton (Yam YZF-R1), -0.013 second, 1:33.487

3. Bryan Staring (Hon CBR1000RR SP), -0.326, 1:33.486

4. Troy Herfoss (Hon CBR1000RR SP), -0.661, 1:33.535

5. Robbie Bugden (Kaw ZX-10R), -12.670 seconds, 1:34.289

6. Cru Halliday (Yam YZF-R1), -13.516, 1:34.927

7. Mitchell Levy (Yam YZF-R1), -13.759, 1:34.670

8. Alex Phillis (Apr RSV4), -20.701, 1:34.972

9. Beau Beaton (Duc 1199 Panigale), -26.623, 1:35.079

10. Kyle Buckley (Kaw ZX-10R), -31.309, 1:36.296

11. Troy Guenther (BMW S1000RR), -35.600, 1:36.422

17. Wayne Maxwell (Yam YZF-R1), -43.498, 1:34.034

31. Josh Waters (Suz GSX-R1000), -3 laps, DNF, 1:34.190

More, from a press release issued by Motorcycling Australia:

Falzon Opens 2017 ASBK Account with Race One Victory

25 February 2017

The chequered flag has fallen on the opening race of the 2017 Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship supported by Motul Pirelli (ASBK) at Phillip Island, where Daniel Falzon (Caterpillar YZF-R1) was able to convert his pole position to the Yamaha Motor Insurance Superbike race victory.

A minor delay before race-start saw an additional warm-up lap completed and the race reduced from 12 to 11 laps as a result, but once it did get underway the fight at the front was a fierce one. First casualty was Yamaha Racing Team’s Wayne Maxwell; down at turn four on lap one on cold tyres. Maxwell managed to remount to claim 17th, after he clawed his way up the order.

At the front of the field, however, Falzon worked his way into the lead across the stripe on lap three and remained there for the duration. The 22-year-old South Australian withstood all kinds of pressure from three-time title-winner Glenn Allerton (Yamaha Racing Team YZF-R1), claiming the win by just 0.013s.

Falzon commented; “The race was nothing short of extremely difficult, but it was very sweet to come out with a victory like that. The racing was close. It’s no secret that we are down on horse-power as we are 17kph slower than the top guys down the main straight, but we will make some changes and try to squeeze more out of the bike.

“I found a new line that really worked for me on the exit of Siberia through MG in qualifying yesterday, my tyres gripped really well. I was really trying to punch every apex, I knew I had the pace, I just had to be consistent. The monkey is off my back now and my nerves will settle down and my concentration will come back for the next race.”

Allerton was satisfied with his result nonetheless, over coming fuelling issues to take vital championship points and besting Crankt Protein Honda Racing CBR1000RR SP-mounted teammates Bryan Staring and Troy Herfoss for position. Only 0.868s separated the top four across the finish-line.

Allerton shared; “The boys on the Yamaha team did a really great job on my bike, they put in a huge effort and it was a great start to the year. There’s a thousand moving parts inside that bike and sometimes things can go a bit wrong but I hope to go one better next time. We are always learning in racing, we have two races left this weekend and we will move forward. I can’t wait to get back out there!”

Bryan Staring said; “Now that the pre-season testing is out of the way and we have a race under our belt, we are going to make a couple of small changes to the settings of the Honda, but it’s such a great machine as it is. I’m feeling really good on the bike now and I’m happy with managing third place on the opening race to gain a few championship points.”

Meanwhile, 12.670s back in fifth was Robbie Bugden (Kawasaki BCperformance ZX-10R), who overcame a late charge from Cru Halliday (IPONE YZF-R1) and leading rookie Mitch Levy (ATR/Landbridge Transport YZF-R1).

The top 10 was completed by Alex Phillis (Race Dynamics RSV4), Beau Beaton (Racer’s Edge Performance 1199 R) and Kyle Buckley (Kawasaki BCperformance ZX-10R). Reigning Australian Supersport champion Troy Guenther (Next Gen Motorsports S 1000 RR) claimed 11th.

Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Josh Waters was right in the mix of the top five before encountering problems of his own aboard the brand new GSX-R1000R, dropping down the order between laps seven and eight. He pulled into pit-lane and exited the race soon afterwards. Matt Walters (Swann Insurance ZX-10R) also registered a DNF, crashing out after running as high as sixth.

Waters explained the situation on his Suzuki; “I’ve had less than an hour seat time on the new GSX-R and it was keeping up with the leading pack, no problems! The racing was that close, that when the Honda riders touched in front of me, one ran a little wide the on the straight, causing a stone to flick up and pierce a hole in my radiator, as well as smashing a few other things on the front of the bike. The main thing was the hole in the radiator resulting in the engine overheating.” He finished.

Race two of the weekend is scheduled for 11:50am local time on Sunday, followed by the third and final 12-lap battle at 4:10pm.

Live timing and results can be found here

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 a press release issued by DesmoSport Ducati:

SPRIGGS SHOWS POTENTIAL IN PHILLIP ISLAND ASBK RACE ONE

DesmoSport Ducati’s Callum Spriggs rode to an inspiring 17th-place finish in race one of the 2017 Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) at Phillip Island this morning, charging forward from toward the rear of the grid.

The 22-year-old rookie crashed on lap two of yesterday’s single qualifying session at the 4.445-kilometre circuit, forcing him to start out of 36th position in the 39-rider field across all three races at the opening round.

When the lights went out on the first race of the season, Spriggs weaved his way into the top 20 by lap three and made it as high as 13th on lap eight, before encountering difficulties in the closing stages and finishing 17th.

“Going into my first Superbike race I knew I had a big challenge, starting from 36th on the grid,” Spriggs reflected. “I’d never actually done a race start on the Ducati, but it wasn’t too bad actually. I was feeling good, picked my way through to 13th, but I dropped back toward the end with a few dramas. I brought it home from there and now definitely look forward to tomorrow.”

DesmoSport Ducati co-owner and three-time Superbike world champion Troy Bayliss said it was an encouraging way for the Queenslander to begin his premier class career aboard the official 1299 Panigale S.

“We’re happy to be here at round one of the ASBK, alongside WorldSBK, showing our new colours of DesmoSport Ducati and getting Callum out there for his first experience racing the bike,” Bayliss explained. “He’s had a bit of a hard weekend, having to start a long way back on the grid, but he showed good potential and came through nicely. It’s not a progressive grid this weekend, so we’ll take it in our stride, and Cal did a really good job.”

Race two of the ASBK is scheduled to take place on Sunday morning at 11:50am and race three later that afternoon at 4:10pm, alongside the opening round of the Superbike World Championship.