Features 2 Apr 2014

Cycle Central: 13

An all-access view of Australian road racing, presented by Alpinestars.

We preview this week’s ASBK opener and bring you up to speed on developments involving Aussies abroad.

Image: Andrew Gosling.

Image: Andrew Gosling.

ASBK is back

The opening round of the Australian Superbike Championship will be held at Queensland Raceway in Ipswich this weekend. It has been a fairly bumpy period for the ASBK over the last few months but credit must go to International Entertainment Group for their persistence. As a reward there are fairly healthy numbers in the top classes, with the Superbike/Prostock field amassing 20 entries at last count. On paper it is difficult to look past Next Gen’s Glenn Allerton as favourite, though there are number of in-form riders, such as Sean Condon, that are sure to lay down the challenge. It will be interesting to see what effect the change in rules have, and also how the open tyre option comes into play. We can expect to see healthy crowds heading out to Ipswich, too, with the ASBK’s cross-promotion with Danny Green’s Coward Punch project encouraging group rides to the track.

Staring sidelined

A lifeline thrown to Bryan Staring to contest the 2014 World Supersport Championship has been pulled back in by the RivaMoto outfit. Staring, who saw out a difficult season in MotoGP last year, snared a seat on the Honda for Phillip Island, putting in a strong showing before mechanical failure halted his move towards the front. When we last spoke with Bryan he was certain the deal was moving forward, but the latest development now has team and rider cutting ties. It’s disappointing for Staring, and we do hope that he can find another opportunity to race in Europe as desired.

Source: Milwaukee Yamaha.

Source: Milwaukee Yamaha.

BSB ramping up

A strong Aussie contingent is in the midst of pre-season testing as the British Superbike Championship opener at Brands Hatch looms. In 2014 Australia has three riders represented in the 31-strong field – Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha), Josh Waters (Tyco Suzuki) and Mitchell Carr (Anvil Hire Tag Kawasaki). Brookes was impressive at the Donington Park test, initially going fastest before Shane Byrne was able to wrestle back the top spot. Waters, who effectively swapped seats with Brookes following 2013, punched in the 18th-quickest time, with Carr a solid 19th and close behind. The championship gets underway in just over a fortnight.

Aussies filling EWC seats

Recent developments in the Endurance World Championship have seen both Damian Cudlin and Jason O’Halloran drafted into the mix as reserve riders. Cudlin will join with the Suzuki Endurance Racing Team, with a possibility of racing the Bol d’Or 24 Hour next month, while O’Halloran steps into a role with the Honda factory effort, complimenting his place in the Superstock 1000 class in the BSB.

That’s it for this week. Check out CycleOnline’s social media profiles for more updates and news from the domestic and international series. Just search ‘CycleOnline’ on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to follow us.

Recent