ASBK season opener preview, schedule and entry lists

ASBK 2023
Spherical One – Phillip Island

Josh Waters set a brand new lap file on his first outing at Phillip Island on the McMartin Racing Ducati final 12 months and since then the now 36-year-old has additionally lowered the benchmark at Sydney Motorsports Park.

Heading into the 2023 ASBK season opener, to be held at the side of the opening spherical of the 2023 FIM Superbike World Superbike Championship at Phillip Island over the weekend of February 24-26, it’s truthful to say Water begins season 2023 as favorite.

Yamaha Racing Group’s Cru Halliday and Mike Jones weren’t far behind on the SMP Take a look at.  Halliday has some crew and angle adjustments for the brand new season and at all times goes effectively at Phillip Island, whereas Jones will need a profitable begin to his title defence.

Penrite Honda’s Troy Herfoss is in a manner higher place for the season begin this 12 months than when he was right here 12 months in the past. On pre-season type Herf’ has declared he’s a title contender.

Broc Pearson heads up the cost for DesmoSport Ducati on this new season and is coming in higher ready than ever earlier than.

Glenn Allerton will even entrance the beginning blocks however for this season opener on a Kinderis BMW, as he waits for the arrival of his new Ducati V4 R that he’ll contest the rest of the championship with.

Lachlan Epis has proven nice pace throughout latest outings at SMP on the ESG BMW and will probably be fascinating to see what he can carry to Phillip Island. How will his Dunlops rise up towards what has typically been Pirelli domination of ASBK in latest occasions?

Bryan Staring might be desperate to determine as he makes his ASBK debut with the MotoGP Yamaha squad. Staring has had restricted time on the bike however has examined at Phillip Island after which ironed out some extra bugs not too long ago within the St. George Summer season Nights Sequence at SMP. And he did win first outing on the DesmoSport Ducati right here final 12 months… Simply how effectively fettled have they obtained that MotoGo Yamaha for this season…?

Arthur Sissis had just a few issues holding him again on the latest ASBK Take a look at however hopefully these gremlins have been labored out of the UniTech Yamaha forward of his arrival at Phillip Island.  If the bike is as much as the job then we all know Arthur can carry podium tempo to the race…

GTR Motostars’ Max Stauffer embarks on his second season within the premier class and has made some big leaps ahead in the previous couple of months. Off the again of his latest type younger Max would possibly be capable of muster prime 5 tempo this season. Whether or not he can do this at Phillip Island we’ll discover out in a few weeks time!

Mark Chiodo is on a Fireblade this season and confirmed latest good type whereas testing at Phillip Island.

After a two-year absence from the Australian Superbike grid, former 2017 Australian Supersport Champion Ted Collins is again within the groove on a Livson Racing BMW M1000RR.

Then we have now Matt Walters debuting the RSV4 Aprilia which might be in just about customary type save from some race fairings and suspension adjustments.

ASBK Superbike Entry Listing

ASBK Supesport

The highest three within the ASBK Supersport class of 2022; Johnny Lytras, Ty Lynch and Tom Bramich all return for one more season within the 600 class.

A hefty crash for Lytras in pre-season testing has the defending champ beginning off on the again foot.

In latest testing Lynch didn’t muster the type of tempo we noticed from him at time in 2022.

Bramich comes into the season with good assist behind him and is choosing up tempo once more after going again to the drafting board with regard to set-up throughout pre-season testing.

After an extended hiatus from prime degree competitors Sean Condon introduced he was again on the SMP Take a look at in a giant manner.  Solely Condon may get anyplace close to the tempo set by returning worldwide Harrison Voight on the latest check and Condon’s entry will shake up the Supersport area.

The clear favorite within the Supersport ranks at Phillip Islan although might be Harrison Voight. The 16-year-old dominated at The Bend season finale, dominated testing and might be aiming to depart Phillip Island with a brand new home Supersport lap file in his pocket earlier than he heads to Europe for a tilt on the FIM Moto2 European Championship.

Fortunately for the remainder, Voight will seemingly solely contest the season opener and the season finale, though a mid-year break in his European commitments may additionally open the door for him to doubtlessly contest one or two extra rounds.

Cameron Dunker, who doubled up in 2022 by taking out not solely the Australian Supersport 300 Championship, but additionally the Yamaha R3 Cup, might be one to observe as he will get accustomed to the pace {that a} 600 can muster across the quick Phillip Island lay-out.

Then we have now the likes of Ben Baker, Jake Farnsworth, Jack Favelle, Glenn and Hayden Nelson, Olly and Mitchell Simpson all aiming to make their mark. There are additionally others which have the potential to attain a podium.

Dallas Skeer is unsure for the spherical after a latest testing crash and is awaiting medical clearance.

ASBK Supersport Entry Listing

ASBK Supersport 300

The Supersport 300 area might be as aggressive as ever, with many new and returning faces to the sector.

With Phillip Island Circuit’s lengthy straight, will probably be all in for the kids as they jostle and slipstream their method to the chequered flag.

They may in all probability present probably the most thrilling motion of the whole WorldSBK weekend!

ASBK Supersport 300 Entry Listing

Tremendous Twin Cup Entry Listing

Phillip Island WorldSBK occasion schedule

2023 ASBK Calendar

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