The final round of the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) presented by Motul Pirelli will be contested at Phillip Island this weekend, with defending champion Troy Herfoss (Crankt Protein Honda Racing) leading by six points over Josh Waters (Team Suzuki Ecstar Australia) and a further nine ahead of Wayne Maxwell (Yamaha Racing Team). CycleOnline.com.au tracked each of them down to gather their approach going into the event.

Image: Russell Colvin.

Troy Herfoss (Crankt Protein Honda Racing):
It is a big weekend and I’m just happy that I’m coming into the final round with the points lead and sort of in control. It’s been a testing year for all the top guys – everybody has had good luck and bad luck here and there – but anyway, we’re coming into Phillip Island feeling good. We had a couple of days practice down there and the new bike is getting better and better, so this is the best position we’ve ever been in going into Phillip Island. I’m looking forward to it and obviously having Paul [Free] going into his last ASBK meeting as the team owner is a big thing. He is obviously one of the best in the business, so it would be only fitting for him to take home another championship. It’s going to be a hard weekend though and we’re all focused on getting the job done, so we have to hope for a bit of luck to go our was as well for a successful weekend. There’s no question this weekend that consistency’s got us this far and now it’s time to be at the front – there’s no other way of winning the championship from here.

Image: Keith Muir.

Josh Waters (Team Suzuki Ecstar Australia):
I remember watching the first official test of the year and I didn’t have anything planned to even race this year, so to be in the position and going into the final round with a chance of winning is a big achievement. The team has done a great job with the new GSX-R, but I know this weekend’s not going to be easy, so we will try our hardest and see how we go. Obviously I want to win, like everyone does, so that’s the best approach for me. To win this year would be extremely special, because two and a half weeks out from round one I didn’t know this ride was going to happen and I’m extremely lucky to be working with Phil Tainton, who I won the championship with previously. It’s also really good to put the team owner Dale Brede in this position as well, so considering the level of the series this year it would be really special for me if we can win the championship.

Image: Keith Muir.

Wayne Maxwell (Yamaha Racing Team):
The mindset going in is that I’ve really got to win both races. There are no options left, no second chances and it’s now a matter of if you want to win the championship you really need to win two races. If I win both races and everything goes my way I could possibly win it. I’ve been in contention for the championship every year for about the last 10, so to reward Yamaha with a championship would be fantastic and that’s what we’re there for. It’s been a little bit of a frustrating time at Yamaha, coming so close, but we have to go to Phillip Island and do what we can to have everything go our way. I rode at Phillip Island the other day as Yamaha was the only one that decided not to test when the championship is on the line, which has happened the few years but it is what it is – being the further team away from Victoria makes it difficult budget-wise. It should be okay!