Image: Russell Colvin.

Former Australian Superbike Champion Josh Waters put in a dominant performance to win the opening Phillip Island Championship Superbike race at this weekend’s Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

Waters rode his Custom Plates Apex Motorsport Yamaha to a 7.215s victory over 10 laps from Crankt Protein Honda Racing teammates Troy Herfoss and a fast-finishing Jamie Stauffer.

The fastest lap of the race went to Stauffer at 1m52.387s as he moved by Brayden Elliott (Knobby Underwear Suzuki) for position on the final lap. That trio was separated by just 0.071s across the line in miserable conditions.

R1-mounted privateer Michael Blair (IPONE Yamaha) was a lonely fifth, well ahead of Cru Halliday (DesmoSport Ducati) in what was a decent, but quiet start to his weekend in sixth place at race’s end. The scheduled second race this afternoon didn’t run due to the weather.

Earlier, in Supersport Sam Clarke (Kawasaki) qualified on pole position in rainy conditions at 1m53.935s, a second and a half ahead of Callum Spriggs (Cube Racing), with Robbie Menzies (Cube Racing) completing the front row. Their opening race was also delayed because of the rain-soaked conditions.