Wrapping up for Christmas: The Bend Set to Deliver!
As the show rolls into Tailem Bend for the final round of the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul, there are many unanswered questions that, by Sunday night, will nearly all be answered.
In the Alpinestars Superbike Championship, series leader Boost Mobile with K-Tech rider Wayne Maxwell (132 points) will not be simply going through the motions to clinch yet another title as the injured Penrite Honda’s Troy Herfoss (106 pts) makes a not-entirely-surprising return to the paddock and evergreen Glenn Allerton (100 pts) aboard the Maxina Racing Oils BMW still sits in third place, knowing that solid points haul and a bit of luck could see him secure yet another title.
With Yamaha Racing Team’s Cru Halliday, Desmosport Ducati’s Oli Bayliss and Unitech Racing’s Arthur Sissis all having the talent and form to press for podium spots, the racing in the premier category promises much this weekend.
Then there’s Ducati’s Jack Miller.
In what will be his only racing appearance in Australia in 2021, MotoGP star Jack Miller will climb aboard his own Ducati Panigale with the assistance of Ben Henry and his Desmosport Ducati outfit.
With talent and adaptability on his side, it’s fair to say that Miller will be a force to be reckoned with. But with many variables in play, just where he will qualify and finish in the racing this weekend is very much an unknown.
For the Victorian-based Wayne Maxwell, this is an event that could not only see him secure his third ASBK title, but also be his swansong event as he looks to hang up the leathers at the conclusion of the season. Of course, going out on a winning note is the racer’s dream, but also leaves the question of “why retire when you’re still winning?” in the air.
In the Motorsports TV Supersport, Yamaha’s Broc Pearson (91 pts) enjoys a small points buffer over Tom Edwards (84 pts) and Max Stauffer (78 pts), with a log-jam of some four riders; Power (63 pts), Skeer (62 pts), Passfield (58 pts) and Nicholson (58 pts) all seeking to improve their championship position. The final points results will be interesting come Sunday night.
For the Dunlop Supersport 300 racers, Yamaha’s Ben Baker (136 pts) has a sizeable, but not unassailable lead and will want a solid bank of points to secure the Championship. Behind Ben sits the sole Kawasaki in the top ten with Zackary Johnson (101 pts) aboard, however he has Yamaha rider Reece Oughtred (98 pts) very close and clearly looking to improve.
In the Yamaha Finances R3 Cup, the familiar name of Ben Baker sits atop the standings (131 pts) with Dunker (96 pts), Oughtred (89 pts) and Demmery (76 pts) set to fight it out for the podium on the day and for the Championship.
Cameron Swain (143 pts) is the only rider leading into the weekend with an unbeatable championship lead, with The Oceania Junior Cup offering a tantalising weekend of close racing as yet again we see a tight points situation for the much of the field. Russo (92 pts), O’Neill (86 pts), Larkin (84 pts), Nauta (83 pts), Thompson (80 pts) and Watts (77 pts) can potentially leapfrog each other in the final standings and no doubt will do all they can across the weekend to end their season as best as possible and set the tone for 2022.
Motorcycling Australia’s CEO Peter Doyle is pleased to see the Championship reconvene in South Australia for the final round: “We all know it’s been yet another difficult year for the competitors and organisers to even get to an event. To find ourselves at this point where we are set to complete the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul at The Bend is gratifying.
“One of the benefits of a reduced season is the points situation! There’s a lot up for grabs this weekend and it’s so close at present that I am sure we will see some spectacular racing at The Bend.
“Not only are we set for great at-event racing, I am also pleased to note that we will offer Saturday live streaming with our broadcast partners SBS and then add live TV on Sunday. For folks in South Australia I urge you to come along, and for those elsewhere who need a fix of the best in two wheel racing, we’ve got you covered there too!”
The Bend’s Managing Director, Dr Sam Shahin, is rightly looking forward to a weekend of the best two-wheeled racing in the country: “We’re ecstatic that Jack Miller is coming to race at The Bend for the first time where we anticipate his talent and experience with similar European circuits to shine through. It will all add to a thrilling finale for the ASBK Championship, made possible with the fantastic support of Motorcycling Australia and the South Australian Government.”
South Australian Tourism Commission chief executive Rodney Harrex said it was a win for South Australia to host the final round of the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul.
“The Bend Motorsport Park is a world-class race circuit in our state’s Murray River, Lakes and Coorong region – and makes for the perfect setting for this national grand finale,” he said.
“With SA’s borders open to domestic travellers, it is set to attract thousands of competitors, fans and spectators – and has already enjoyed a huge spike in ticket sales from the Eastern seaboard on the back of borders reopening. I would urge all of those people to make the most of their time in our state and after the racing action, get out and explore all that SA has to offer.”
The mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul final round at the Bend kicks off this Friday (3rd December) through Sunday (5th December).
The mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul is supported by the South Australian Tourism Commission.
Broadcast Details:
Saturday 4th December
- ASBK Livestream Telecast 10.30am – 5.00pm (ACDT = SA time)
Exclusive telecast on SBS On-Demand
SBS On Demand sbs.com.au/ondemand
Sunday 5th December
- ASBK Livestream Telecast 9.30am – 4.00pm (ACDT = SA time)
- Telecast on SBS On-Demand
Sunday 5th December
ASBK Live TV Telecast 12.30pm – 3.30pm (ACDT = SA time)
- SBS HD
- Fox Sports Australia
- Sky Sport NZ
Host: Kate Peck
Expert Commentators: Steve Martin and Phil Harlum
Keep up to date with the latest news on the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship, presented by Motul via www.asbk.com.au and following ASBK on Facebook and Instagram.
