PIRELLI RIDERS SHINE AT PHILLIP ISLAND’S OPENING ASBK ROUND
March 7, 2017
Pirelli riders win multiple classes in opening round of the 2017 Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli at Phillip Island, including Daniel Falzon (Superbike), Mason Coote (Supersport) and Zac Levy (Supersport 300, Over 300).
Phillip Island, 3 March 2017 – Pirelli riders have proven a strong force in the opening round of the 2017 Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli, as Daniel Falzon captured the round victory in the premier Superbike category.
Caterpillar JD Racing Yamaha rider Falzon took pole position and all three race wins around the world-famous 4.445-kilometre circuit, placing him atop the Superbike standings following round one of seven. The most common Pirelli tyre selection in the Superbike class was the Diablo Superbike 120/70R17 SC1 (front) and Diablo Superbike 200/60R17 794 (rear).
Joining impressive privateer Falzon on the overall podium was defending champion Troy Herfoss (Crankt Protein Honda Racing) in third, while rookie Mitch Levy (ATR/Landbridge Transport Yamaha) was a solid sixth, Bryan Staring (Crankt Protein Honda Racing) seventh and Josh Waters (Team Suzuki Ecstar) 10th. Staring showed his strengths with third-place in races two and three, as did Waters with fifth in Sunday’s pair of races.
Pirelli’s success at Phillip Island on the Pirelli-supported Motul Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) weekend was evident in the Motul Australian Supersport Championship as well, where Mason Coote (Yamaha) returned to racing with over 12 months out of the sport for victory. The common choice of the Pirelli-equipped Supersport entries were the Diablo Supercorsa 120/70ZR17 SC1 (front) and Diablo Supercorsa 190/60ZR17 1148 (rear) options.
Victorian Ted Collins (Suzuki) made it a 1-2 on the podium for Pirelli in second, as Ryan Taylor (Yamaha) took fifth, Sam Condon (Yamaha) sixth, Jordan Carlsson (Yamaha) seventh and Tom Toparis (Kawasaki) eighth, all on Pirelli tyres.
The Supersport 300 category was once again packed with emerging racers and Pirelli rider Zac Levy (Yamaha) was able to take victory in the Over 300 field. He utilised the Diablo Supercorsa 110/70ZR17 SC1 (front) and Diablo Supercorsa 140/70ZR17 (rear).
“We are pleased with the strong results for Pirelli riders from round one of the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli,” commented Don Nicholas, Link International Pirelli Moto product manager. “My congratulations to Daniel for his round win in Superbike, Mason Coote for his round win in the Supersport 600 class and also Zac Levy for his win in the Supersport 300 (Over 300) class.
“To see a privateer rider take the round win in each of these classes of the premier road racing championship in Australia at Phillip Island shows just what can be achieved with the right combination of rider, team, bike, set-up and tyres. There were plenty of happy faces in the pits and full grids. We learn more as we work with riders each time we race, so we look forward to round two at Wakefield Park.”
Round two of the Australian Superbike Championship will be contested at Wakefield Park in New South Wales on 17-19 March. Pirelli Motorcycle Tyres are imported and distributed exclusively in Australia by Link International. Visit www.linkint.com.au for additional information.
ENDS
Words and Picture courtesy of Pirelli
