Australian Superbike Contenders Set for Penultimate Round at Phillip Island

The Motul Pirelli Australian Superbike Championship returns to the picturesque Phillip Island circuit for its penultimate round of 2019 this weekend, with riders from five different manufacturers all in contention for the title.

Last time the Superbikes visited the Island at the beginning of the season, it was Aiden Wagner who prevailed on his Yamaha. But a crash and subsequent shoulder injury in Round 2 at Wakefield Park ruled Wagner out for the rest of the season, and since then the race victories have been shared between Mike Jones (Ducati), Troy Herfoss (Honda), Wayne Maxwell (Suzuki) and Bryan Staring (Yamaha).

With race victories being distributed between so many different riders, consistency has paid dividends and thus Jones leads the points ahead of Cru Halliday with two rounds remaining. Jones and Halliday have each only finished one race outside the top five all season, while Jones has also scored race wins at Morgan Park and Winton.

Staring, who clean-swept the Tailem Bend round, comes into Phillip Island third in the points, just 2.5 ahead of Troy Herfoss, who won the Wakefield Park round. The Goulburn born-and-raised Honda rider has made a habit of performing at his best on home turf, and so it was the case again in 2019.

Arguably the form rider coming into this weekend is Wayne Maxwell, who is thoroughly enjoying his return to Suzuki this season, and has won the last two rounds of the series at Morgan Park and Winton. Maxwell is riding with confidence aplenty, and would be much closer to the points lead if not for DNFs at Phillip Island and Tailem Bend.

This weekend’s Superbike action will consist of three practice sessions on Friday followed by an official timed session on Saturday morning, two-part qualifying on Saturday afternoon and two races on Sunday. Download the event schedule here.

A total of 26 riders are entered for the round – download the entry list here.

Tickets are now on sale for the event, and can be purchased online here. All patrons who purchase tickets before 11:59pm on Thursday evening will receive a FREE Sunday pit-lane walk.

Kawasaki Superbikes – Points after Round 5

1. Mike Jones – 217.5

2. Cru Halliday – 206

3. Bryan Staring – 198.5

4. Troy Herfoss – 196

5. Wayne Maxwell – 193

6. Josh Waters – 181

7. Matt Walters – 130.5

8. Daniel Falzon – 124

9. Alex Phillis – 110

10. Arthur Sissis – 106.5