The opening round of the 2017 Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) presented by Motul Pirelli will commence one of the most intriguing seasons in history, alongside the Yamaha Finance round of the Motul Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) at Phillip Island, Victoria. CycleOnline.com.au previews what’s to come when the lights go out.

Image: Keith Muir.

Round location

Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit
Back Beach Rd
Phillip Island, VIC

Circuit facts

Length: 4.445 kilometres

Turns: 12
Superbike lap record: Wayne Maxwell 1m32.316s (2013)
Supersport lap record: Bryan Staring 1m35.200s (2009)

Event entry

Information here or tickets available at the gate.

Schedule

Rider lists

Superbike:

Supersport:

Supersport 300:

Predictions

First:
Glenn Allerton – Opening round winner from one year ago, triple ASBK champion (2008, 2011 and 2014) Allerton is the favourite – at least on paper – going into this weekend at Phillip Island. Allerton was second on the time-sheets at the official test behind Michael Blair, but in terms of consistency he was supremely quick. Like Maxwell below, a mammoth pre-season testing schedule back with Yamaha Racing Team will work in his favour.

Second:
Wayne Maxwell – You can never discount the 2013 title-winner at Phillip Island and we’re certain he will start the 2017 season on fire. With a renewed Yamaha deal and plenty of seat-time during the off-season, Maxwell should at least be on the podium and chances are he will prove us wrong for the win, if all goes his way across the weekend.

Third:
Troy Herfoss – We’re tipping that the sheer determination of defending champion Herfoss will put him on the podium, despite still awaiting the delivery of Honda’s 2017 Fireblade. He’s said it’s a matter of getting through Phillip Island – largely due to a top-speed deficit – and then his challenge will really begin at Wakefield Park, but there’s no denying he’ll be in the mix.

Watch for:
Michael Blair, Bryan Staring, Josh Waters, Daniel Falzon, Robbie Bugden

2017 calendar:

Rd1 – 23-26 February – Phillip Island, VIC (WorldSBK)
Rd2 – 17-19 March – Wakefield Park, NSW
Rd3 – 28-30 April – Winton, VIC
Rd4 – June – TBC
Rd5 – 25-27 August – Morgan Park, QLD
Rd6 – 8-10 September – Sydney Motorsport Park, NSW
Rd7 – 6-8 October – Phillip Island, VIC