World Superbike will commence SPEED’s two-wheel coverage for 2013. Image: Andrew Gosling/TBG Sport.

SPEED is kicking off a big year of World Superbikes with our live coverage of the championship-opener from Phillip Island this weekend.

They’ll showing 7.5 hours of action from the track across the weekend, starting with Superpole on Saturday, followed by both WSBK races and the Supersport race on the Sunday.

SPEED will also have a special treat on Sunday, with live coverage of the second Australian Superbike Championship race between the Supersport and second World Superbike races.

With regular host Jessica Yates away on special assignment, SPEED has recruited renowned motorsport commentator Aaron Noonan to anchor the weekend’s coverage.

“There’s no doubt I’m looking forward to heading up SPEED’s coverage of the opening round of the championship,” Noonan said.

“World Superbikes have been a flagship part of the motorsport menu since SPEED began a couple of years ago, so to be entrusted with the host chair for the all-important season opener is fantastic.”

Alongside him in the hot seat will be SPEED’s resident two wheel expert Kevin Magee, who will bring us all the latest paddock gossip from pre-race testing at the newly-resurfaced Phillip Island circuit this week.

SPEED will also have a special guest in the studio for the weekend’s races, with former MotoGP, Superbike and Supersport racer Chris Vermeulen adding his insights to the coverage.

In the booth for the big races will be the usual double-act of lead commentator Jonathan Green with Australian Steve Martin.

SPEED Phillip Island WSBK schedule (all times AEDT):

WSBK Superpole
SAT 23/2 at 2:30pm LIVE (rpt 9:30pm)

WSBK Race 1
SUN 24/2 at 11:30am LIVE (rpt 9:00pm)

WSS Race
SUN 24/2 at 1:10pm LIVE

ASBK Race 2
SUN 24/2 at 2:25pm LIVE

WSBK Race 2
SUN 24/2 at 3:00pm LIVE

A note to regular watchers of World Superbikes on SPEED, this year they are separating the races in the Foxtel and Austar EPG. If you have an iQ or myStar box you will have to set up each individual race to record, not just a whole block.

SPEED are showing every round of the World Superbike and World Supersport Championship live in high definition. SPEED will also be broadcasting the Superstock 1000 series – where rising Aussie rider Bryan Staring made his name in 2012 – and the Superstock 600 title.

They are also showing the British Superbike Championship – featuring Josh Brookes and Josh Waters, plus the FIM Endurance World Championship.

It all starts this weekend with the World Superbike Championship opener from Phillip Island, live on SPEED!