Van Eerde wins Pirelli’s ‘Rider of the Round Award’
Link International will award a set of brand new Pirelli Tyres to a lucky Hi-Tec Batteries Supersport 300 rider at every remaining round of the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli in an initiative that rewards riders on their attitude and spirit over a race weekend. Billy Van Eerde (KTM Australia, KTM RC 390) was selected as the Round 5 Morgan Park Raceway ‘Pirelli Rider of the Round’.
Pirelli designed the award want to reward privateer riders in the Hi-Tec Batteries Supersport 300 classes who represent the brand well, look after the appearance of their bike and perform at a pace beyond the norm.
The Hi-Tec Batteries Supersport 300 class was chosen to showcase the award as it is it is made up of predominately privateer family operated teams. It also provides Pirelli a great opportunity to work with riders with all sorts of experience levels. To watch them grow and develop as they learn their craft is what it’s all about. Pirelli enjoys the one on one interaction with the teams and riders.
Pirelli rider Van Eerde was extremely impressive throughout the weekend, picking up two outright wins on his KTM machine. Van Eerde shared his thoughts after Race Three; “It was a good weekend, but I didn’t get off to the best start as I did in Race One and Two, but I fought through the whole race. It was definitely the most fun I’ve ever had on the track. I managed to get up the inside of Tommy Edwards on Turn 6 and take it from there.The KTM 390, with Pirelli tyres and having an extra 90cc’s than the ‘Under’s’ really helps down the straights if I can hold it pinned in the corners too! Big thanks to Pirelli and Link International for the award and the extra set of tyres.”
Fuller described the selection process; “Pirelli has been thinking about an initiative such as the ‘Pirelli Rider of the Round Award’ for a while now as we are all about the future of the sport. We don’t want to just promote riders based on points, but reward them for the manner in which they carry themselves, regardless of their race result. We’re looking for a good role model for other kids coming up the ranks to look up to for support and guidance.
“We selected Billy because he’s such a great ambassador for the sport. He is a pocket rocket and although he is short in stature, we all look up to him. He gets the best of his Pirelli tyres with excellent grip and that was evident from his results this weekend. He was awarded an SC1 Front and a SC2 Rear,” Fuller concluded.
Keep an eye out at future rounds to see which riders get selected as the future winners of the Pirelli Rider of the Round Award.
Link International are known throughout the industry as suppliers of motoring essentials and represent some of the world’s top brands. Link’s product range includes Motul Motorcycle Oil and Maintenance Products, Pirelli Motorcycle Tyres, RK Takasago Chains, Arrow Exhausts, Ferodo Brake Pads, Polisport Plastics, Ariete Grips and Accessories, BMC Air Filters, Vortex Racing Products plus many more as well as a line of related workshop products.
For more information on Link International and its products visit http://www.linkint.com.au/
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2017 Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship Presented by Motul Pirelli Calendar:
Round 6 SMSP Eastern Creek, NSW 8-10 September
Round 7 Spokes.com.au presents Phillip Island Circuit, VIC 6-8 October
Billy Van Eerde with Pirelli’s Dave Fuller
Courtesy Andrew Gosling TBG Photography
