Image: Russell Colvin.

Apex Motorsport Yamaha’s Josh Waters claimed pole position in the Australian Superbike support category to commence this weekend’s Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island this morning.

The Custom Plates-backed Waters was fastest in practice and then continued that form into the single 20-minute qualifying session, posting a 1m37.091s in damp conditions.

Waters led fellow privateer Brayden Elliott (Knobby Underwear Suzuki) by 0.201s, while first of the factory riders Troy Herfoss (Crankt Protein Honda Racing) will complete the front row.

With rain falling heavily early in the session, Waters completed just one flying lap on his way to pole – all riders in the qualifying setting their time on the opening lap of the session before the surface was drenched.

Fourth at the conclusion of the session was New Zealand champion Sloan Frost (Next Gen Motorsports Suzuki), followed by Michael Blair (IPONE Yamaha), Jamie Stauffer (Crankt Protein Honda Racing) and Ryan Hampton (Next Gen Motorsports Suzuki).

The anticipated debut of former Yamaha Racing Team factory rider Cru Halliday at DesmoSport Ducati resulted in eighth overall. His quick time was set on lap one, however he managed to get down to relatively quick times later in the qualifier also. Races one at two will take place this afternoon.

In Supersport practice it was Luke Mitchell (Yamaha) who set the pace from Callum Spriggs (Cube Racing), Ted Collins (Suzuki), first-timer Tom Toparis (Cube Racing) and Sam Clarke (Kawasaki). They’re scheduled to qualify at 12:55pm local time, before race one rolls out late in the afternoon.