Features 13 Nov 2010

Post Race with Troy Herfoss

MotoOnline.com.au speaks to the new Australian Supersport Champion in a special weekend edition of our Post Race interviews.

When Troy Herfoss was signed by Team Suzuki to switch straight from Supermoto to the Australian Supersport Championship, many who weren’t familiar with Herfoss questioned the decision.

As an international superstar in Supermoto that won the 2008 AMA Championship against the best riders in the world, Herfoss faced a new challenge last year as a road race rookie back in Australia.

Well, Team Suzuki has been rewarded in 2010, because in just his second season of road racing the talented 23-year-old today wrapped up this year’s Australian Supersport Championship at Symmons Plains in Tasmania.

And he did so in superb fashion, winning the opening 14-lap race of the weekend on Saturday and taking home the title with Sunday’s proceedings still left to run.

MotoOnline.com.au sat down with the Goulburn-based ex-dirt track racer to speak about his achievement and what we can expect from him in the years to come.

Team Suzuki celebrates Herfoss' crown at Symmons Plains this afternoon. Image: TBG SPort/Andrew Gosling.

Team Suzuki celebrates Herfoss' crown at Symmons Plains this afternoon. Image: TBG SPort/Andrew Gosling.

Troy, you were able to wrap up the championship today in race one here at Symmons Plain this afternoon. You must be stoked? Congratulations.

Yeah, it’s a really good feeling – I haven’t even thought about the second race all weekend, it was all about winning the title in race one. I really wanted to win the race to win the series, so it’s an awesome feeling.

I’m proud for the team as well, they put in a huge effort, so it’s great to give Phil [Tainton] and the team their first championship with the 600. It’s my first title in my second year of road racing, so I’m really, really happy.

As far as this weekend goes, was your plan to win the race to take the title as you did, or were you going to play it safe for the title if you had to?

I knew that Christan [Casella] is a slow starter and fast finisher judging by previous races this year, and generally I’m a faster starter. So I thought I would get the best start that I could, try to stay out of trouble, and once I got past your brother [Aaron Gobert] for the lead then I was able to focus on my race.

Christan caught me at the end, but I wasn’t too worried because second would have won me the title anyway. To win the race was just perfect.

As you said, it’s only your second season of road racing, so did you expect to be Australian Supersport Champion so soon?

I wanted to be, although I wasn’t really sure if it would happen. The way this year has gone has been perfect.

I’ve had two years on the 600 now and I’m ready to go on to the Superbike. Hopefully Team Suzuki give me the opportunity next year, so we’ll wait and see what happens over the next few weeks.

Herfoss has had an incredible season in 2010, claiming eight race victories to date. Image: TBG Sport/Andrew Gosling.

Herfoss has had an incredible season in 2010, claiming six race victories to date. Image: TBG Sport/Andrew Gosling.

It must be a good feeling to award Team Suzuki with the championship for this year, because those guys always put together a first class outfit.

I have to say a big thanks to Team Suzuki – the GSX-R600 has been flawless this year. We’ve had a great year, so thanks to the team and I also have to thank Shark helmets and Falco boots. Hopefully we can come back next year and mix it at the front.

You add the Australian Supersport Championship to the AMA Supermoto title you won in 2008, which was the premier title in the world for Supermoto at the time, so what means more?

That’s a tough question you know, because obviously with the AMA title in America I was over there for a few years and you know what it’s like – it’s hard being over there and coming from Australia.

But my dream has always been to be a road racer and I’ve been watching the Aussie Superbikes go around for years and always wanted to be a part of it.

To win this Supersport title is very special to me, it’s right up there with the Supermoto championship.

Long term, is your goal to get back overseas as a road racer? Is this a stepping stone to an international return?

Yeah, definitely. I know I’m going to be able to do that and go overseas, it’s just a matter of getting the opportunity. I want to ride the Superbike here in Australia and it’s a good championship, so I’ll do that and then I definitely want to go overseas.

Okay well congratulations for the title.

Thanks, Al.

Recent