Phillip Island WSBK Round To Open Season 2023 ASBK

Phillip Island returns as the season opener for 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship in February

In what will be a short yet exciting turnaround for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, the Grand Ridge Brewery Australian Round will return to its traditional spot on the WorldSBK calendar in 2023 as the opening round on the 24th to 26th February at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.

Fresh off the 2022 Grand Ridge Brewery Australian Round season finale next week, World Superbike and World Supersport riders will return to Australia for the official test on 20th and 21st February, before the 2023 season officially gets underway on the 24th to 26th February.

While the World Champion is yet to be crowned for 2022, the season finale at Phillip Island on 18th to 20th November will now hold even higher value to riders and teams as they prepare for back-to back rounds in Australia.

Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit General Manager David Bennett said after a quiet few years of World Class motorsport action at the Island, he is delighted to have such an action-packed calendar back on the table.

“We are thrilled to once again host the opening Round of the 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship in February, with freshly crowned World Champions and many new faces to the paddock, this round will play a massive part in shaping the 2023 season.” Mr Bennett said.

While mentioning new faces to the paddock, there will be one rider who’s certainly no stranger with a name so synonymous to Phillip Island Circuit, with the 2021 Moto2™ World Champion Remy Gardner making his debut appearance on the WorldSBK grid in 2023 with GRT Yamaha.

“It’s the first time since 2016 that there will be an Australian in WorldSBK full-time, and I have no doubt we will have many Australian fans coming out to support Remy Gardner in World Superbikes.” Mr Bennett added.

WorldSBK Executive Director Gregorio Lavilla said that WorldSBK’s return to Phillip Island in 2023 will deliver more action than ever before.

“WorldSBK returns to Phillip Island in 2023 and will deliver more action than ever with back-to-back  races; hosting the 2022 season finale and 2023 opening round as happened previously in 1996 and 1997. It’s a feat only possible at a landmark of the Championship such as Phillip Island, and the iconic circuit is the perfect place for this with Phillip Island adored by fans and riders alike. After a challenging last couple of seasons, it will be nice to have the Championship starting in the Victorian summer.”

Also returning to its traditional place on the calendar will be Round 1 of the 2023 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship, presented by Motul held at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in conjunction with Round 1 of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship.

Motorcycling Australia CEO, Peter Doyle said this event each February has always produced an event not to be missed and has long been one of the highlights of the ASBK Championship.

“We are extremely pleased to be starting the 2023 ASBK Championship at Phillip Island as part of the World Superbike Championship, Grand Ridge Brewery Australian Round.” Mr Doyle said.

“This is always the perfect way to get the racing year underway in front of a big crowd, passionate fans, and to showcase our world class ASBK competition in front of the WorldSBK Championship paddock.

“We look forward to bringing the very best ASBK riders from across the nation inclusive of ASBK Superbike, ASBK Supersport, and ASBK Supersport 300 classes, to the iconic Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit to battle it out for victory.” Mr Doyle said.

With World Superbikes returning to its traditional timeslot in February, this will also bring about warm summer weather to make for a perfect trip to Phillip Island that we are sure riders, team
members, fans and spectators will all enjoy.
www.worldsbk.com.au for further information, as well as our social media channels for updates.