Tag Archives: Broc Pearson

Broc Pearson talks Superbike switch for 2022

Broc Pearson stepping up to Superbike with 727 Moto


The 2021 Motorsports TV Supersport Championship was one of the most closely fought titles in recent history which was decided at the finish by .050 of a second going to Broc Pearson, a rider who has overcome some horrendous injuries in recent years and nearly gave the sport away.

The different between being champion, or not, was the close on Sunday… Image RbMotoLens

Pearson celebrated his 21st Birthday and Championship title on the weekend after what was an edge of the seat event for the Queenslander at the Grand finale of the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship, presented by Motul, at South Australia’s The Bend Motorsport Park.

Broc Pearson – 2021 Australian Supersport Champion – Image RbMotoLens

We caught up with Pearson to discuss his year, his move into Superbikes in 2022 with the 727 Moto Team, and his first test session with the new team on the Yamaha R1 earlier this week at The Bend.

Broc Pearson testing on Monday – Image RBMotoLens

The Queensland team Jed Metcher rode for this year will be rebranded to 727 Moto for 2021 and expanded to two riders which includes Pearson, and are well on their way to becoming one of the biggest privateer teams in the Superbike paddock.

Adding to the fire power of the team is the recruitment of some MotoGP and ASBK heavy weights including former Valentino Rossi and Desmosport Ducati mechanic Brent Stephens, former Team Honda Racing chief Paul Free, and Yamaha Racing Development’s, Stewart Winton, who has worked with Metcher this year and previously with BSB Champion Josh Brookes, among many others.

Pearson had been testing earlier in the year at Morgan Park on a Yamaha Superbike and it was the same one he tested on with this week at The Bend, but unfortunately some gremlins with the machine meant he could only complete several laps.

Broc Pearson rode the 727 Moto YZF-R1 at The Bend on Monday – Image RbMotoLens

Congratulations on your Championship win but no rest for the wicked.

Broc Pearson: “Look I started a new job a few weeks ago and probably could have asked for the day off but I’m heading straight to work now.”

You’ve had a few days for the Championship win to sink in, how do you feel?

Pearson: “It was kind of different as I had to ride on Monday. So I was off to bed early Sunday night, and then I had a few drinks with the team on Monday night, but I had to go to bed early to get up at 4am as I had to get a flight home, and then head to work.

Broc Pearson – 2021 Australian Supersport Champion – Image RbMotoLens

“It will be nice to sit down tonight with my girlfriend and family and chill out and have a chat.

“Just now it feels like I’m not carrying any weight on my shoulders, as for the last month, every time I roll out the door to ride by my bike or go to the gym, and since Wakefield I’ve put in so much work in, but the last month has really impacted me mentally as it (the Championship) was on my mind.”


You would have had to be careful to make sure you didn’t crash your push bike or tear a muscle at the gym?

Pearson: “The last week I did no gym work because I didn’t want to carry weights in case I pulled something, and then on my push bike I did everything indoors on my trainer in case I fell off my bicycle to ensure I didn’t have any injuries or wounds going into the last round.

Broc Pearson on the 600 at The Bend – Image RBMotoLens

“On Tuesday morning I said to my mechanic, Hayden, who was flying with me five days ago when I left that same airport, and my head was buzzing and I was thinking about every possible scenario for the weekend. This morning at the same airport I had no stress and nothing on my mind, it was so nice to come home and drop my guard.”

What were your thoughts as you crossed the line on Sunday?

Pearson: “I tried to be a bit strategic in that second race and it kind of worked but until I crossed the line I just, I couldn’t believe I had done it.

“Heading into the weekend I was obviously fastest, I qualified on pole and from the outside you could have thought he’s got this in the bag, but with such a minimal points difference between us, there was just no room to take some air, it was far from being over.

Broc Pearson on the YZF-R6 at the Bend – Image RBMotoLens

“After that first race it was hard, I don’t know how many times Supersport has been that close going into the last race, but there was only one point going into it and it was stressful, but I found ways to motivate myself.

“When I crossed the line, I didn’t know what to think, because I had always wanted that day, and when I crossed, I the thought well I got to set myself a new goal now, because the last three years this has been my goal.

“I have a goal for what I am aiming for at one time and this was my goal for the weekend, and I achieved that. I was beside myself with how happy I was.”


Now you have a new goal, you were obviously out testing with the new Superbike team on Monday.

Pearson: “It was the bike I was testing in Queensland earlier this year, but we’ve got some new bikes we will have organised for next year.

Broc Pearson at The Bend on Monday – Image RbMotoLens

“To be honest with you, we had some mechanical issues all day, I did four laps, and it didn’t work out the way I wanted to, maybe that was just how the ball was to roll for the day.

“It gave me a little bit of breathing room anyway as its big to come off winning the championship and then get back into something the next day.”

It must be exciting for you to be going into a new team with Jed Metcher, and there are some big hitters in your new team amongst the crew in Brent Stephens, Paul Free and Stewart Winton?

Pearson: “It’s always good to have guys in your corner who know what they are doing, and at the end of the day it brings confidence to a rider, and when a rider has confidence that is when they are at their best. And that’s what I’ve been able to feel at the moment with my team because I feel at home with it.

“With those guys in my corner, I know I will be able to carry that confidence into next year as I’ve already gone quite fast on a superbike, so I don’t doubt myself at all.”


Is 2022 still considered a learning year for you next year do you expect to be competitive from the get-go?

Pearson: “Look it’s going to be a learning year. I’m going to be going to tracks on a superbike I have never rode one at, I’ve only ever really rode the Superbike at Morgan Park, and yesterday then added a few at The Bend, but I only did four laps.

Supersport Champ Broc Pearson moves up to Superbike in 2022 and was testing a YZF-R1 with his new team on Monday at The Bend

“So its going to be learning year, I don’t expect to come in and use that as an excuse, but I’m going to be ready to go.

“I have good guys around me, I believe I can be competitive right away, I don’t mean I expect to win races, but if I roll out and win a race next year that will be awesome.

“But my goal next year will be to land on the podium and, if I can, then I set myself a goal to start winning.

“There is a lot to do, and those guys out there are obviously the best in Australia and obviously with Jack (Miller) coming back on the weekend showed how high the level is, so I don’t expect anything, just take one thing at a time.”


You and Max Stauffer stepping up into Superbikes with experienced guys that have been around in the class for some time, how do you feel about being the new blood in the class?

Pearson: “The good thing that I have done in the past couple of months in testing is prove that I can ride a Superbike, and that gives me confidence going into the year and knowing that I can somewhat ride at a high level.

Broc Pearson – Image RbMotoLens

“In regard to guys like Herfoss and Maxwell, they’ve got a lot of experience on the bike and at tracks, riding a superbike to them is like jumping on the lounge for most guys, they are at home on them, and I’m not at home on a superbike yet.

“When I ride, I still struggle, even though I’m fit and strong, I don’t have that bike fitness to ride one for 14 laps, because you need to be able to be at home on them and feel like its your bike, and I don’t feel that at the moment, and I need to ride it more.

“It will be interesting to see what Max does and I wish him all the best, and I hope he can run at the front, as at the end of the day anyone turning up to the track can be rewarded. Hopefully it’s a good year for everyone and I can just tick off some boxes on the way.”

Take us back to the last few years, at one stage you thought about giving the sport up after you banged yourself up and smashed yourself to pieces a few times, can you clarify that in your mind now that your glad you didn’t give up and achieved what you set out to achieve three years ago.

Pearson: “Even before the weekend I was glad that I have developed into who I am as a person, and for my fitness, I’m super fit and super healthy and that’s why I didn’t give up and I am where I am now. I’m very fortunate that I stayed committed.

Pearson headed into the 2021 Australian Supersport Championship with an eye on the title after returning from injury

“The first accident, even though that was the most difficult as I almost died, I had a lot of mental issues from it, and I struggled a lot, but I was always determined to race again. I knew I was determined to race again and would face some anxiety and racing was going to be difficult, but I was young.

A huge crash at The Bend in 2017 set a young Pearson on a long road to recovery

“I didn’t really come back to who I was, but it was the second accident that really tested me as I spent a long time trying to get fit and get going again, and then as soon as I came back, I broke my back again and then I was just over it.

“I was in Adelaide hospital by myself, and my team went back home to work, and I was just in the hospital thinking, why am I doing this. For a few weeks afterwards I was pretty done. I couldn’t be bothered dealing with consequences I was going to face in the future, so I had a bit of time off, didn’t read anything bike related and didn’t pick up the phone or look at bike related things for a while.

Broc Pearson has certainly ridden a rollercoaster of ups and downs in recent seasons – This picture from 2017 was taken after suffering two broken legs, multiple breaks to his back, a broken shoulder and other minor injuries in a training crash.

“Then my natural day to day like life things continued where I got back on pushbike, and then I went to the gym and started improving, then walking again, and then I got back on the bike. But that was mentally the toughest one, as I was over it.”


Because of your success over in Asia did you expect to continue that when you came home to race?

Pearson: “No, I started to not rate myself as high as the other riders were and that was the problem, it was the consequences of the accidents that I started to think maybe I have to settle and realise I’m not the rider I can be.

“But then when Covid hit last year, it gave me a little time to clear my head, ride the bike a little bit and have some fun rather than concentrate on racing. That was probably a turning point for me, as I didn’t have to worry about racing, and I naturally started going faster.

“Last year I got my rods taken out of both my femurs a month before the first round at Phillip Island, but no one I spoke to had had rods taken out of both femurs, so then I had them out, and I could barely walk, fit into my suit, so I had a horrible round at the Island, similar to what Herfoss is going through now. You don’t have movement and can’t ride. I then had an electronics problem in April and broke my collar bone.”

Because COVID hit, you were able to just go back to enjoying riding on the weekends and fully recover?

Pearson: “Exactly, I did some riding with Oli (Bayliss) last year and he was going really fast on the 600 and I got to a point where I started going faster and things were clicking, and I turned up to Wakefield and I won a race. Then I was like okay maybe I am back and can start picking myself up.

“Over Christmas I did a lot of work mentally and physically and from the test and that point onwards I had a good run. I’ve been able to carry that confidence to where I am now, and I’m very glad about what I’ve achieved.”


Tell us about your friend Oli Bayliss, you are obviously close, you train together, he is off to World Supersport and he has praised you from the weekend what impact has he had on you?

Pearson: “Me and Troy (Bayliss) get along quite well, and Oli is one of my best mates, and sometimes when Oli doesn’t want to get out of bed I go cycling with Troy. It’s a good relationship and friendship I have with them. Troy has been very supportive of me, and he had an accident earlier this year and we built a bit of a relationship through that as I had been through a similar thing.

“With Oli we are real big rivals, but we are good mates. We push each other a lot in good ways, we hate losing to each other. It’s like competing against your brother it’s the last person you want to lose to.

Oli Bayliss – Image RbMotoLens

“We have our disagreements, it’s what makes us stronger riders, I help him in some ways, and he does me. Oli is one of a kind. He has something in him and the ability to switch on, I didn’t have that switch that you can click, I’ve learnt a few things off him, he’s mentally strong.

“At the end of the day I’m envious of what he is doing, he is my good mate and I want to see him do well, but I’m grateful I’ve had some years training with Oli, and if he switches on in Europe, finds his feet and mojo, he is going to do really well and turn heads.”


You are still only 21 and have raced overseas in Asia. Do you still have ambitions to race overseas, to race in WorldSBK or MotoGP?

Pearson: “You need to set goals one step at a time, and I don’t have any future plans to go to Europe yet, or any anything like that, but by all means I would love to, but I have to try and work in with what suits me right now and I believe for me that is to get on a Superbike, and if I can race against the best guys in Australia and maybe some time soon be one of the best here, then it is going to be the best way I can get to Europe.

For now the focus will be on the ASBK Superbike class

“Rides don’t just fall into your lap, if I can go to Europe one in the future by all means, but its not going to be next year, right now I have to win an Australian Superbike Championship and I’ve got a bit of work to do before I can achieve that.”

Pearson’s 2021 Supersport Championship title was won with numerous lap records. A win and second place at the Winton season opener, pole position, a win and second place at Wakefield, and pole position, a third place and a spectacular victory at the Grand Finale at the Bend to finish on 135 points with Tom Edwards second on 129 points, and Max Stauffer rounding out the top three on 116 points.

Broc Pearson with Max Stauffer – Image RbMotoLens

2021 Motorsports TV Australian Supersport Championship Points

Pos Name Total
1 Broc PEARSON 135
2 Tom EDWARDS 129
3 Max STAUFFER 116
4 Scott NICHOLSON 91
5 Dallas SKEER 90
6 Luke POWER 63
7 John LYTRAS 61
8 Jack PASSFIELD 58
9 Tom BRAMICH 55
10 Timothy LARGE 50
11 Aidan HAYES 47
12 Rhys BELLING 42
13 Noel MAHON 40
14 Mitch KUHNE 30
15 Luke MITCHELL 24
16 Matthew LONG 23
17 Jack HYDE 23
18 Ben ANGELIDIS 21
19 Joel TAYLOR 17
20 Billy VAN EERDE 15
21 Harrison VOIGHT 14

Source: MCNews.com.au

Broc Pearson hot favourite to lift ASBK Supersport Title

Pearson aiming to win Supersport before step up to Superbike

Some would say it has been a long time coming, however with a number of years hampered by serious injuries, it is only now that current Motorsports TV Supersport Championship points leader, Broc Pearson, looks to have found his rhythm and groove in the Championship.

A huge crash at The Bend in 2017 set a young Pearson on a long road to recovery

The talented Queenslander is no stranger to battling at the front, however serious injuries in recent years have sidelined his Championship chances, including breaking his back twice and a collar bone break last year.

Broc Pearson has certainly ridden a rollercoaster of ups and downs in recent seasons – This picture from 2017 was taken after suffering two broken legs, multiple breaks to his back, a broken shoulder and other minor injuries in a training crash.

In 2020 he finished 4th behind Champion Tom Toparis, Oli Bayliss, and Max Stauffer.

In 2021, Pearson is showing the immense talent he has, as he looks to be as one with his City2Surf Locksmith and YRD backed Yamaha YZF R6, smashing lap records on the way to two victories and two second places from the two rounds run this year.

Broc Pearson – Image RbMotoLens

Pearson leads the Supersport Championship seven-points ahead of Tom Edwards, 13-points ahead of Max Stauffer, 28-points in front of Luke Power in 4th, and Dallas Skeer 29-points behind in 5th.

He hasn’t had it all his own way, with the talented Tom Edwards and Max Stauffer both scoring race wins, ensuring Pearson has had to work extremely hard to lead the Championship.

2021 Wakefield Park Supersport Round Podium – Image RbMotoLens

Could this be the year Pearson breaks through for his first Motorsports TV Supersport Championship title win.

If you don’t want to win the Championship you are not a proper racer. Absolutely I would love to win the Championship, we all want to,” said Pearson.

That is the big picture, but we are still early in the year, and have a number of rounds to go.

“I need to win as many races as I can. I think I have a good chance, but those other boys aren’t going to count themselves out either.”

Broc Pearson and his 600cc Supersport YZF-R6
Broc Pearson and his 600cc Supersport YZF-R6

Pearson puts the success of this year so far down to hard work both on and off the track and remaining injury free.

The last few years I rode scared, after a few big knocks, whereas last year I had a small injury where I broke my collar bone, but I was able to finish the year strong.

“I was able to get much fitter, stronger, and I have more confidence coming into this year.

“I’ve become smarter in the way I ride. I’ve got pretty comfortable on the bike and finding its limit and have been able to make a lot of progression this year. It’s all come together.

“This is the first time I have come into the year injury free – touch wood – I’m really fit and have fun on the bike.”

Broc Pearson’s 600cc Supersport YZF-R6

Pearson is well aware that his main competition in Tom Edwards and Max Stauffer will be hard to beat.

Every year the bar gets raised, and we are on the same machinery.

“Both are very different riders. Max is like a dog with a bone, Tom is always going to be there, so they are both really good riders.”

Broc Pearson gets a hug from dad at Winton

Pearson puts part of his success down to his sponsors and supporters, particularly his father, who runs City2Surf Locksmiths to help fund his racing and YRD.

“Dad puts in so much work and funds the team, and obviously I’m supported by YRD, who have been a massive help in developing me as a racer as I’ve come up through the ranks in the 300s and 600s.

“I’ve also got some great local support from North Queensland Finance Solutions and Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey who help me go racing.

“We are just a small family father and son team, and we do what we can with the great support we receive.”

Broc Pearson leading at Wakefield Park – Image Neil Cameron

During the break from racing, Pearson test rode the Penrite Honda Superbike of Troy Herfoss in Queensland, as did a number of other high profile riders.

While Pearson enjoyed the opportunity, his main focus is on winning the 2021 Championship, which he hopes will open the door to an Alpinestars Superbike ride in 2022.

Broc Pearson – Image RbMotoLens

Motorsports TV Supersport Championship Standings

Pos Rider Total
1 Broc PEARSON 91
2 Tom EDWARDS 84
3 Max STAUFFER 78
4 Luke POWER 63
5 Dallas SKEER 62
6 Jack PASSFIELD 58
7 Scott NICHOLSON 58
8 Aidan HAYES 47
9 Rhys BELLING 42
10 Tom BRAMICH 41
11 Mitch KUHNE 30
12 John LYTRAS 28
13 Timothy LARGE 25
14 Luke MITCHELL 24
15 Matthew LONG 23
16 Jack HYDE 23
17 Noel MAHON 17
18 Joel TAYLOR 17

2021 ASBK Championship Calendar (Updated)

  • Round 6 – Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC (SBK Only 2+4 with Supercars) October 22 – 24
  • Round 7 & 8 – The Bend Motorsport Park, SA November 11 – 14* (Double Header Round) *Except SBK who will have a single round x3 races = 1x Race Saturday and 2x Sunday)
  • Round 9 – Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC December 3 – 5

Source: MCNews.com.au

Tom Toparis dominates ASBK Supersport season opener

2019 ASBK
Round One – Phillip Island
Supersport Race One


The opening Supersport race of ASBK 2019 got underway at 0900 this morning under clear skies at Phillip Island in front of a building crowd. Goulburn teenager Tom Toparis had looked the man to beat all weekend and the Yamaha rider got away to an early break while Oli Bayliss, Callum Spriggs and Nic Liminton gave chase.

WSBK Round Phillip Island SS Saturday Rob Mott Tom Toparis
Tom Toparis – Image Rob Mott

Bayliss the new debutante in the class after moving up from Supersport 300 under the new rule that allows suitably proven 15-year-olds to now step up to the vastly different Supersport 600 Championship. Bayliss has Glen Richards in his corner for his first season in the category, the well-known South Australian back from crew chief duties in British Superbike and a lengthy career within the ranks of BSB in various roles. A busy testing schedule leading up to the season has seen young Oli well-prepared for his step up to the heavier and faster category of racing.

WSBK Round Phillip Island SS Saturday Rob Mott Nic Liminton
Oli Bayliss, Nic Liminton – Image Rob Mott

Out front Toparis was streeting the field though, pulling away by more than a second a lap and clearly in a race of his own.

WSBK Round Phillip Island SS Saturday Rob Mott Tom Toparis last corner
Tom Toparis – Image Rob Mott

Behind him Nic Liminton had eased his way past Bayliss but could not break away. The pair traded places over the opening few laps while Callum Spriggs and Ty Lynch kept in touch with them. A couple of second behind that quartet a battle for sixth place was unfolding between Broc Pearson, Jack Passfield and Aidan Hayes.

WSBK TBG WSBKPI PI Nic Liminton Oli Bayliss Calum Spriggs TBG
Nic Liminton, Oli Bayliss and Callum Spriggs – TBG Image

In the closing stages of the race Liminton finally managed to break clear of Bayliss, leaving his younger foe to fight for the final step on the rostrum with Callum Spriggs and at the flag it was the more experienced of the two that got that podium position by a nose, the difference only three-thousandth-of-a-second at the line.

Toparis had backed off in the closing laps but still took victory by more than five-seconds, his pace though was good enough for that to be ten-seconds should he wished to have pushed all the way to the chequered flag.

WSBK Round Phillip Island SS Saturday Rob Mott Tom Toparis Parc
Tom Toparis – Image Rob Mott

Nic Liminton second from Callum Spriggs with Oli Bayliss just missing out on a podium in his Supersport debut. Broc Pearson, Ty Lynch, Aidan Hayes and Jack Passfield rounded out an all Yamaha top eight ahead of Sam Lambert on an MV Agusta while Reid Battye rounded out the top ten on a Suzuki.

WSBK TBG WSBKPI PI SS Race Podium TBG
SBK Supersport 600 Race One Results
Tom Toparis – Yamaha
Nic Liminton – Yamaha +5.495
Callum Spriggs – Yamaha +7.786 – Image TBG

ASBK Supersport 600 Race One Results

  1. Tom Toparis – Yamaha
  2. Nic Liminton – Yamaha +5.495
  3. Callum Spriggs – Yamaha +7.786
  4. Oli Bayliss – Yamaha +7.789
  5. Broc Pearson – Yamaha +8.749
  6. Ty Lynch – Yamaha +9.672
  7. Aidan Hayes – Yamaha +9.692
  8. Jack Passfield – Yamaha +9.869
  9. Sam Lambert – MV Agusta +15.373
  10. Reid Battye – Suzuki +18.363
  11. Dylan Whiteside – Yamaha +24.138
  12. Scott Nicholson – Suzuki +29.365
  13. Rhys Belling – Yamaha +29.367
  14. Chris Quinn – Yamaha +29.605
  15. Luke Mitchell – Yamaha +39.079
  16. John Quinn – Triumph +39.106
  17. Luke Sanders – Yamaha +51.992
  18. Andrew Edser – Kawasaki +52.157
  19. Matt Cranmer – Honda +52.437
  20. Dan Leonard – Yamaha +60.466
WSBK Round Phillip Island SS Saturday Rob Mott Parc
ASBK Supersport 600 Race One Results
Tom Toparis – Yamaha
Nic Liminton – Yamaha +5.495
Callum Spriggs – Yamaha +7.786 – Image Rob Mott

Source: MCNews.com.au

Toparis tops ASBK Supersport Test | Form guide

2019 ASBK Supersport Official Test Wrap

Images by Andrew Gosling – tbg sport


Eighteen riders started the ASBK Supersport test, with Oli Bayliss making the step up to the Supersport category this year, but no one could get near last year’s class runner-up, as Tom Toparis totally dominated all bar one of the eight sessions.

Toparis has left the Cube Racing Team where he’s been since he started road racing. After his years racing Kawasaki’s in both the 300 class and Supersports, Tom will be Yamaha mounted this year, basically doing it alone in a family run affair with a few sponsors like Landbridge Racing.

Tom Toparis

“It’s been a good weekend, for the first time at the Island on the Aussie Supersport bike. It’s good to get out and do some laps and learn. The bike’s really smooth and I think that’s the most important thing.”

ASBK Test Phillip Island Feb Tom Toparis
Tom Toparis – ASBK 2019 – Official Phillip Island Test

The youngster from Goulburn (NSW) will also be doing a Wild Card in the Supersport World Championship at Phillip Island later this month on an up-specced Yamaha R6 which should give him a great opportunity to step up the leader board after his experience in the event last year, when he finished 14th in the race.

It was Tom’s first outing on the new bikes at the test and so there was a lot of setting up to be done to adapt to the characteristics of the Yamaha after his years on the Kawasaki.

Tom Toparis

“The new Yamaha R6 is just really smooth, straight out of the box. The chassis is a lot more… a bit more like a Moto3 bike. It feels a lot stiffer and a lot more race orientated and a lot more aggressive, the styling of it. The brakes are good, we can make the tyre last for a long time, which is really good. We just have to make a few decisions about what we’re going to run. We’re just messing around with a few little things, we went pretty fast this morning. We’ll see how we go and hopefully my little mate Oli won’t beat me anytime soon. We’ll be back in a couple of weeks to test the WorldSBK, I just rode it around today, no tyres or anything to get a bit of a feel for that too…”

ASBK TBG FebTest PI Tom Toparis TBG
Tom Toparis – ASBK 2019 – Official Phillip Island Test

Second fastest was South Australian Nic Liminton, also Yamaha mounted. It’s a welcome return for Liminton as he was sidelined for most of last year as he battled – and overcame – testicular cancer. It’s a confronting moment for a teenager, as it would have been an extremely difficult time for the close knit Liminton family but thankfully he is back to full health, and keener than ever to get on track again racing.

ASBK TBG FebTest PI Nic Liminton TBG
Nic Liminton – ASBK 2019 – Official Phillip Island Test

His times were slightly off his PB around the track as they are fine tuning their new Yamaha’s but understandably Nic is just over the moon to be back riding and racing in a few weeks, after his reality check of 2018.

Nic Liminton

“We had a lot to get through as we set up the new bikes back but I am so happy with where we are right now. I am just so happy to be back getting ready to race a full season. This is my first time ever on the new Yamaha R6. The suspension we’re still dealing with, hopefully we’ll get it all sorted by the race, but at the moment – the Ohlins – if we can get it dialed in, I reckon we can have a very good race. We had a base setting on the suspension at the start and we thought that was going to be amazing, but we changed a few things and we’ve got it to a pretty good point now. With a few more practice sessions we’ll be in a better place. Track time is definitely a bit of an issue, we don’t have much of it, compared to some of the other riders, so we’ll just try and learn as quick as possible and then hope the race is going to be good. Top three is where I want to be, I think Tom’s in a league of his own at the moment, but if we can slowly close the gap through each round to him, I want to be where he is by sometime this year. That’s the goal.”

ASBK TBG FebTest PI Nic Liminton TBG
Nic Liminton – ASBK 2019 – Official Phillip Island Test

We know the kid can ride but it was still a bit of a surprise to see Oli Bayliss third fastest over the two days. Ok, he has had a few sessions at Morgan Park on the 600 to get a handle on it but coming to Phillip Island is an entirely different bunch of coconuts.

ASBK TBG FebTest PI Oli Bayliss TBG
Oli Bayliss – ASBK 2019 – Official Phillip Island Test

The last time he rode there was on a 300 Proddie bike with massively different lap times, so it was a huge challenge but he took it in his stride and was only two-tenths off Liminton’s best time, with plenty of more experienced Supersport pilots behind him. Broc Pearson, also on a Yamaha, was less than a tenth of a second off, in fourth fastest, snapping at his heels.

Oli Bayliss

“We’re still getting used to the track, we’ve ridden the bike four times, but on this track zero, so the first day actually surprised me. I didn’t realise we were going to go this fast, but I’m absolutely loving it, and it’s a great track to ride, and so much fun. I didn’t think I was going to get going this fast so early on. I was here three months ago and we were doing 1:49s and now we’re doing 1:37s, so it’s like a 12 second, 13 seconds difference and it’s just different to get used to how much more power it has than the 300. The weekend was very good. Very, very, very, very good! It was really helpful and it’s given me a lot of confidence going into the race. Our times weren’t bad, we were third or fourth overall and we are getting there. Hopefully practice at the race meeting we can crack a 36, maybe even a 35. It’s going to be hard, but with a bit of help, with another rider being towed along and a few other changes to the bike – I’m losing a bit of top speed, so if we can get all of those problems sorted out, hopefully we can go a bit faster. I’ve three of my best mates out there, Tom [Toparis], Ty [Lynch] and Broc [Pearson], so it’s going to be weird racing them all, but also going to be really fun. Hopefully we can still be friends after the finish, if shit happens!”

ASBK TBG FebTest PI Oli Bayliss TBG
Oli Bayliss – ASBK 2019 – Official Phillip Island Test

Pearson who was fourth fastest, was his usual rapid self but a big get off at Turn One towards the end of day one slowed things down a bit, as on day two he never quite got to the times of the previous day and on his own admission says that he always has trouble with the track.

ASBK TBG FebTest PI Broc Pearson TBG
Broc Pearson – ASBK 2019 – Official Phillip Island Test
Broc Pearson

“We started off Day One really good, and I think I prepared well for this season, I’m a lot fitter and a lot more flexible. Yesterday morning started really well, I missed the first session due to some electrical issues, but we got out there in the second one. Instantly I was into good times, so I was really confident. Leading into the last session I was first on the times at about the middle mark of the session and went back out and had a new set of tyres and was pretty confident to go a bit faster. I ended up making a mistake in Turn 1 and had a bit of a fall, and then Day Two just hasn’t gelled so much. I sort of get over that kind of stuff and don’t get effected but I think I found a bit of a limit yesterday that was like hitting a wall today, getting to a speed that I couldn’t really pass. So I think I just need to work on a few things with my riding, I don’t think it’s mental or physical, it’s just time on the bike, which I don’t get much off. So hopefully we can get a bit of that between now and end of the month.”

ASBK TBG FebTest PI Broc Pearson TBG
Broc Pearson – ASBK 2019 – Official Phillip Island Test

Another debutant in the class is the 2017 Australian Supersport 300cc Champion, Reid Battye, returning to the domestic title chase after a disastrous season in Europe last year. After winning the title Reid had high hopes of competing in the Supersport 300 World Championship that Tom Edwards competed in, but a botch up with registering for the over-subscribed grid saw the teenager left out in the cold and living in Italy.

ASBK TBG FebTest PI Reid Battye TBG
Reid Battye – ASBK 2019 – Official Phillip Island Test

He returned to Australia half way through the year and so has not had much riding but was impressive in his first outing on the new Suzukis and was fifth. Like Bayliss, Battye will definitely be a threat once he gets more in tune with the bikes and he has the added bonus of Phil Tainton fettling his bikes between meetings. Expect him to give it a big shake

ASBK TBG FebTest PI Reid Battye TBG
Reid Battye – ASBK 2019 – Official Phillip Island Test

Just adrift of Battye was Sam Lambert who has had an on-again off-again relationship with the class in recent years but in that time has proven to be one that is in the upper part of the field but has lacked the budget to complete a full season. Let’s hope the Northern Territorian can stick around for the entire season as the sound of the MV Agusta he is riding on full noise is just majestic, and he is not too far off the pace.

While Toparis may have had a distinct edge in lap times over the others the difference in times between second (Liminton) and seventh (Aiden Hayes) was just over a second, and the rest were close behind.

ASBK Test Phillip Island Feb Toparis
Tom Toparis lead the time sheets by a hefty margin- ASBK 2019 – Official Phillip Island Test

Add a few more that were not at the test and others that are rising through the ranks like Scott Nicholson (who is in his own team this year); Aiden Hayes who is hoping to contest the entire season; as well as Ty Lynch who is gaining advice from Jed Metcher to improve his performances; Rhys Belling; Jack Passfield; Dallas Skeer; and the ever competitive Chris Quinn, and the 2019 Supersport category will have plenty of spice to compliment the other classes.

Supersport Combined Practice Times – 2019 ASBK PI Test

  1. Tom TOPARIS (NSW) Yamaha YZF-R6 1:35.295
  2. Nicholas LIMINTON (SA) Yamaha YZF-R6 1:37.273
  3. Oli BAYLISS (QLD) Yamaha YZF-R6 1:37.492
  4. Broc PEARSON (QLD) Yamaha YZF-R6 1:37.588
  5. Reid BATTYE (NSW) Suzuki GSX-R 1:38.134
  6. Sam LAMBERT (NT) MV Agusta F3 1:38.142
  7. Aidan HAYES (NSW) Yamaha YZF-R6 1:38.496
  8. Scott NICHOLSON (VIC) Suzuki GSX-R 1:39.013
  9. Ty LYNCH (SA) Yamaha YZF-R6 1:39.136
  10. Ryan TAYLOR (VIC) Yamaha YZF-R6 1:39.182
  11. Rhys BELLING (VIC) Yamaha YZF-R6 1:39.591
  12. Jack PASSFIELD (NSW) Yamaha YZF-R6 1:39.657
  13. Luke MITCHELL (NSW) Yamaha YZF-R6 1:39.776
  14. Chris QUINN (NSW) Yamaha YZF-R6 1:39.782
  15. Luke SANDERS (VIC) Yamaha YZF-R6 1:40.723
  16. Andrew EDSER (NSW) Kawasaki ZX6R 1:40.831
  17. Dallas SKEER (SA) Suzuki GSX-R 1:41.012
  18. Daniel LEONARD (VIC) Yamaha YZF-R6 1:44.081

Source: MCNews.com.au

Maxwell tops official ASBK test on day two | Wagner second

Maxwell tops combined practice for the weekend

Aiden Wagner sets second fastest time in final session

By Mark Bracks

At the end of the two day official ASBK test it was Wayne Maxwell who could beat his chest as the fastest Superbike rider on the grid, after setting a 1:32.312 during the final day’s morning session.

ASBK TBG FebTest PI Wayne Maxwell TBG
Wayne Maxwell – Image by TBG

Wagner put in a notable final session of the day, setting a late 1:32.451 to post the second fastest time of the test, while close behind was the man who finished third last year in Troy Bayliss, followed by Josh Waters and Daniel Falzon. All bar Falzon and Wagner set their fastest times in the opening session of day two, before the heat really set in.

Defending champion Troy Herfoss meanwhile was sixth fastest, with Bryan Staring, Cru Halliday, Glenn Allerton and Mike Jones rounding out the top ten on the combined timesheets.

See below for individual sessions and the full combined testing times for the weekend.


Superbikes – Sunday Session 1

By 10am Sunday morning, the air temp was over 24 degrees at Phillip Island, with the track temperature already nudging 36 degrees. That meant that with the forecast saying it would only get hotter, it was vital to get the times in early as most expected the track and tyre performance to drop off as the temperatures rose and the day wore on.

ASBK TBG FebTest PI Wayne Maxwell TBG
Wayne Maxwell – Image by TBG

The first session saw Maxwell kick the day off well and continue his form, topping the sheets again with a blistering 1:32.312, which was only fractionally outside Troy Bayliss’s lap record of 1:32.224.

There were four other riders under the 1:33 mark for the first session of the day, with Bayliss, Waters, Wagner and Herfoss all claiming that honour.  There was then a further one second gap back to Halliday in sixth.

Kawasaki Superbike – Practice 5 (Sun Session 1)
  1. Wayne MAXWELL (VIC) Suzuki GSX-R ELR 1:32.312
  2. Troy BAYLISS (QLD) Ducati Panigale FE +0.319
  3. Josh WATERS (VIC) Suzuki GSX-R ELR +0.364
  4. Aiden WAGNER (QLD) Yamaha YZF-R1 +0.532
  5. Troy HERFOSS (QLD) Honda CBR RR SP +0.672
  6. Cru HALLIDAY (NSW) Yamaha YZF-R1 +1.587
  7. Daniel FALZON (SA) Yamaha YZF-R1 +1.635
  8. Glenn ALLERTON (NSW) BMW S RR +1.642
  9. Arthur SISSIS (SA) Suzuki GSXR RL7 +1.706
  10. Mike JONES (QLD) Kawasaki ZX10RR +1.842

Superbikes – Sunday Session 2

The second session was held just before the lunch break and saw Bayliss return to the top of the timesheets, while a multitude of consistent laps from Falzon propelled him into second for the session. Wagner and Maxwell completed the top four and these were the only other riders to also descend into the 1:32s for the session.

ASBK TBG FebTest PI Troy Bayliss TBG
Troy Bayliss – Image by TBG

The consensus of those that were asked is that they were all still trying to find a setup to suit the new Pirelli tyres. All bar Bayliss, who basically just adapted to the new tyres well.

To me, that gives an indication of the man’s adaptability, a skill that would have been honed on those many laps in the Superbike World Championships where a new compound or new profile change from either Michelin or Pirelli was more common than many changing underwear!

Kawasaki Superbike – Practice 6 (Sun Session 2)
  1. Troy BAYLISS (QLD) Ducati Panigale FE 1:32.676
  2. Daniel FALZON (SA) Yamaha YZF-R1 +0.108
  3. Aiden WAGNER (QLD) Yamaha YZF-R1 +0.281
  4. Wayne MAXWELL (VIC) Suzuki GSX-R ELR +0.281
  5. Josh WATERS (VIC) Suzuki GSX-R ELR +0.628
  6. Cru HALLIDAY (NSW) Yamaha YZF-R1 +0.636
  7. Bryan STARING (WA) Kawasaki ZX10RR +0.793
  8. Troy HERFOSS (QLD) Honda CBR RR SP +0.882
  9. Glenn ALLERTON (NSW) BMW S RR +1.338
  10. Mike JONES (QLD) Kawasaki ZX10RR +1.408

Superbikes – Sunday Session 3

By the time the third session of the day commenced the track temp was over 55 deg with lap times dropping by over a second across the board.

ASBK TBG FebTest PI Daniel Falzon TBG
Daniel Falzon – Image by TBG

Daniel Falzon topped the time sheets for the first time, as he set the benchmark of 1:33.208 for the session. Closest was Bayliss, who went within 0.038 second of equaling the time on his last flying lap, with Waters third and Wagner fourth.

Kawasaki Superbike – Practice 7 (Sun Session 3)
  1. Daniel FALZON (SA) Yamaha YZF-R1 1:33.208
  2. Troy BAYLISS (QLD) Ducati Panigale FE +0.036
  3. Josh WATERS (VIC) Suzuki GSX-R ELR +0.215
  4. Aiden WAGNER (QLD) Yamaha YZF-R1 +0.217
  5. Cru HALLIDAY (NSW) Yamaha YZF-R1 +0.256
  6. Bryan STARING (WA) Kawasaki ZX10RR +0.317
  7. Wayne MAXWELL (VIC) Suzuki GSX-R ELR +0.317
  8. Troy HERFOSS (QLD) Honda CBR RR SP +.403
  9. Glenn ALLERTON (NSW) BMW S RR +0.411
  10. Mark CHIODO (VIC) Honda CBR RR SP +0.792

Superbikes – Sunday Session 4

With the final session of the two days approaching, a massive blackout hit the Island after a tree came down on a power line, shutting off power to the track and thus power to tyre warmers and other equipment in the pit sheds. As such over half the field of Superbikes decided to pack up for the day, including Daniel Falzon and Glenn Allerton.

ASBK TBG FebTest PI Cru Halliday TBG
Cru Halliday was third fastest in the final session – Image by TBG

After the final 25 minute session with the remaining riders – and a red flag delay after Mark Chiodo crashed at Lukey Heights for the second time of the weekend – it was Aiden Wagner who was the fastest from Maxwell, Halliday, Waters, Mike Jones and Bayliss.

Kawasaki Superbike – Practice 8 (Sun Session 4)
  1. Aiden WAGNER (QLD) Yamaha YZF-R1 1:32.451
  2. Wayne MAXWELL (VIC) Suzuki GSX-R ELR +0.492
  3. Cru HALLIDAY (NSW) Yamaha YZF-R1 +0.760
  4. Josh WATERS (VIC) Suzuki GSX-R EL R +0.853
  5. Mike JONES (QLD) Kawasaki ZX10RR +1.335
  6. Troy BAYLISS (QLD) Ducati Panigale FE +1.487
  7. Troy HERFOSS (QLD) Honda CBR RR SP +1.524
  8. Max CROKER (NSW) Suzuki GSX-R +2.287
  9. Alex PHILLIS (VIC) Suzuki GSXR +2.429
  10. Arthur SISSIS (SA) Suzuki GSXR RL7 +2.504

Sunday Superbike Wrap

While there are no prizes for being fastest at a test there is certainly a form guide we can take away, especially with the first round of the Australian Superbike Championship at the same venue in a little under three weeks time.

There may be the usual bunch of street fighters that have battled out the championship over the last couple of years at the front of the field, but Aiden Wagner has certainly made a few sit up and take notice.

ASBK TBG FebTest PI Aiden Wagner TBG
Aiden Wagner – Image by TBG

The 25-year-old Queenslander was never out of the top five during the two days and his consistency in lap times was impressive. Also when you peek into the pit box of the Landbridge Transport/Wagner Soil Testing Team and see what isn’t there, it makes his effort even more outstanding.

It is very much a true privateer team with good personnel around him and while the focus will be on the manufacturer teams, just keep an eye on the #28 Yamaha R1 of Wagner. He will be ready to pounce, and he is certainly ready to win.

The first round of the Australian Superbike Championship will be held alongside the opening round of the Superbike World Championship at Phillip Island 22-24 February.

Kawasaki Superbike – Phillip Island Test – Merged classification

  1. Wayne MAXWELL (VIC) Suzuki GSX-R EL R 1:32.312
  2. Aiden WAGNER (QLD) Yamaha YZF-R1 1:32.451
  3. Troy BAYLISS (QLD) Ducati Panigale FE 1:32.631
  4. Josh WATERS (VIC) Suzuki GSX-R EL R 1:32.676
  5. Daniel FALZON (SA) Yamaha YZF-R1 1:32.784
  6. Troy HERFOSS (QLD) Honda CBR RR SP 1:32.984
  7. Bryan STARING (WA) Kawasaki ZX10RR 1:33.181
  8. Cru HALLIDAY (NSW) Yamaha YZF-R1 1:33.211
  9. Glenn ALLERTON (NSW) BMW S RR 1:33.614
  10. Mike JONES (QLD) Kawasaki ZX10RR 1:33.786
  11. Mark CHIODO (VIC) Honda CBR RR SP 1:33.934
  12. Arthur SISSIS (SA) Suzuki GSXR RL7 1:34.018
  13. Max CROKER (NSW) Suzuki GSX-R 1:34.171
  14. Sloan FROST (VIC) Suzuki GSX-R 1:34.427
  15. Ted COLLINS (VIC) BMW S RR 1:34.494
  16. Alex PHILLIS (VIC) Suzuki GSXR 1:34.536
  17. Lachlan EPIS (NSW) Kawasaki ZX10RR 1:34.735
  18. Glenn SCOTT (NSW) Kawasaki ZX10RR 1:35.128
  19. Ryan YANKO (QLD) Ducati 1299 1:36.468
  20. Phil CZAJ (VIC) Aprilia RSV4 RFW 1:36.617
  21. Patrick LI (VIC) Yamaha YZF-R1 1:37.891
  22. Heath GRIFFIN (NSW) Suzuki GSX-R 1:39.054
  23. Murray CLARK (QLD) BMW S RR 1:39.123
  24. Scott TUDDENHAM (VIC) Suzuki GSX-R 1:39.467
  25. Will DAVIDSON (NSW) Yamaha YZF-R1 1:39.819

Source: MCNews.com.au

Wayne Maxwell tops day one at official ASBK Test

Phillip Island – Day One

Troy Bayliss had been setting the pace for most of the opening day of the two-day 2019 ASBK Test session staged by Motorcycling Australia at Phillip Island, but late in the final session Wayne Maxwell knocked TB out of top spot by just under a tenth-of-a-second to finish day one on top of the charts.

Maxwell recently broke his collarbone in a bicycle crash and underwent shoulder surgery only nine days ago, but that didn’t stop the freshly signed Ecstar Suzuki putting in 40 laps on the GSX-R1000R and being the only rider to dip in to the 1m32s on the opening day of testing.

Bryan Staring is looking very competitive on the new ZX-10RR and finished the day third fastest ahead of Josh Waters.

Privateer Aiden Wagner upstaged the Factory Yamaha squad to finish as top Yamaha in fifth, fractionally ahead of defending champion Troy Herfoss.

The YRT duo of Daniel Falzon and Cru Halliday were seventh and eighth respectively ahead of Glenn Allerton while Mark Chiodo rounded out the top ten in front of Mike Jones and Ted Collins. Only a second covers a fairly close top ten.

Tom Toparis dominated the Supersport rankings on his new Yamaha while Tom Bramich debuted the Kawasaki Ninja 400 on top spot in the Supersport 300 results.

Lucas Quinn looks like the early one to beat in the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup.

Kawasaki Superbike Times
  1. Wayne Maxwell – Suzuki 1m32.913
  2. Troy Bayliss – Ducati 1299 1m33.011
  3. Bryan Staring – Kawasaki 1m33.181
  4. Josh Waters – Suzuki 1m33.334
  5. Aiden Wagner – Yamaha 1m33.452
  6. Troy Herfoss – Honda 1m33.500
  7. Daniel Falzon – Yamaha 1m33.541
  8. Cru Halliday – Yamaha 1m33.565
  9. Glenn Allerton – BMW 1m33.614
  10. Mark Chiodo – Honda 1m33.934
  11. Mike Jones – Honda 1m34.356
  12. Ted Collins – BMW 1m34.494
  13. Alex Phillis – Suzuki 1m34.863
  14. Arthur Sissis – Suzuki 1m35.067
  15. Glenn Scott – Kawasaki 1m35.128
  16. Max Croker – Suzuki 1m35.188
  17. Lachlan Epis – Kawasaki 1m35.272
  18. Sloan Frost – Suzuki 1m35.339
  19. Ryan Yanko – Ducati 1m36.468
  20. Patrick Li – Yamaha 1m37.891
  21. Phil Czaj – Aprilia 1m38.134
  22. Heath Griffin – Suzuki 1m39.166
  23. Scott Tuddenham – Suzuki 1m39.467
  24. Will Davidson – Yamaha 1m40.123
  25. Murray Clark – BMW 1m40.598
Supersport 600 Times
  1. Tom Toparis – Yamaha 1m36.149
  2. Nic Liminton – Yamaha 1m37.329
  3. Broc Pearson – Yamaha 1m37.588
  4. Oli Bayliss – Yamaha 1m37.840
  5. Reid Battye – Suzuki 1m38.264
  6. Sam Lambert – MV Agusta 1m38.807
  7. Aidan Hayes – Yamaha 1m39.030
  8. Ty Lynch – Yamaha 1m39.426
  9. Jack Passfield – Yamaha 1m39.657
  10. Chris Quinn – Yamaha 1m39.872
  11. Luke Mitchell – Yamaha 1m40.020
  12. Scott Nicholson – Suzuki 1m40.592
  13. Luke Sanders – Yamaha 1m40.723
  14. Rhys Belling – Yamaha 1m40.969
  15. Dallas Skeer – Suzuki 1m41.012
YMI Supersport 300 / YMF R3 Cup Times
  1. Tom Bramich – Kawasaki 1m48.804
  2. Locky Taylor – Yamaha 1m49.429
  3. Seth Crump – KTM 1m49.768
  4. Callum O’Brien – Kawasaki 1m49.939
  5. Zac Levy – Yamaha 1m50.109
  6. Luke Power – Yamaha 1m50.423
  7. Max Stauffer – Yamaha 1m50.537
  8. Ben Baker – Kawasaki 1m50.823
  9. Senna Agius – Kawasaki 1m50.875
  10. Harry Khouri – Yamaha 1m51.306
  11. Zylas Bunting – Yamaha 1m52.439
  12. Peter Nerlich – Kawasaki 1m51.441
  13. Bronson Pickett – Yamaha 1m53.167
  14. Kyle O’Connell – Yamaha 1m53.378
  15. Tayla Relph – Kawasaki 1m53.409
bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup Times
  1. Lucas Quinn 2m15.669
  2. Angus Grenfell 2m16.253
  3. Carter Thompson 2m16.303
  4. Cormac Buchanan 2m16.493
  5. Reece Oughtred 2m16.560
  6. Tom Drane 2m16.654
  7. Jamie Port 2m16.802
  8. Jacob Hatch 2m17.116
  9. Glenn Nelson 2m17.382
  10. Hunter Diplock 2m17.680
  11. Max Gibbons 2m17.720
  12. Cros Francis 2m17.726
  13. Marianos Nikolis 2m17.751
  14. Zak Pettendy 2m18.255
  15. Jai Russo 2m18.414

Source: MCNews.com.au