Image: Keith Muir.

Crankt Protein Honda Racing’s Troy Herfoss was fastest in first qualifying at the Winton round of the 2017 Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) presented by Motul Pirelli.

Reigning champion Herfoss, who was fastest during Friday’s practice, set a 1m20.731s on warm conditions this morning to secure provisional pole.

Behind him came Josh Waters (Team Suzuki Ecstar) following a quick final lap, while Wayne Maxwell (Yamaha Racing Team) was third despite completing just three laps during the session.

Herfoss’ teammate Bryan Staring recovered from a fall mid-session to go fourth, while fifth came an impressive Josh Hook (Racer’s Edge Performance/McMartin Racing Ducati) in his first appearance on the 1199 Panigale R. The top five were separated by 0.982s.

Alex Phillis (Arnold’s Fruit Market/Apex Civil/Helicraft Racing Yamaha), Cru Halliday (IPONE/YMF/YMI Yamaha), Robert Bugden (Kawasaki BCperformance), Troy Guenther (Next Gen Motorsports BMW) and Callum Spriggs (DesmoSport Ducati) filled the top 10.

Another crasher during the session was Daniel Falzon (Caterpillar JD Racing Yamaha), who eventually ended up 11th on the time-sheets at the conclusion of qualifying one. The second session will take place this afternoon from 3:00pm local time.