Daniel Falzon won the Supersport season opener for Yamaha. Image: Keith Muir.

The Yamaha R6 combined with the Yamaha Racing Team Development program proved an unstoppable force at the opening round of the Australian Superbike Championship that was run in conjunction with the World Superbike Championship at Phillip Island over the weekend.

YRT supported riders of Aaron Morris and Daniel Falzon both won a race each of the 600cc Supersport category while Chris Quinn was at his consistent best taking second in both races in a Yamaha display of dominance that was even further highlighted when the top six riders in race two were Yamaha R6 mounted.

Daniel Falzon on his Jon Daniels Racing Yamaha R6 took the round win on 43 points with a third and a first in the two events held over the weekend. Race two was easily the highlight of the weekend when a fast freight train of riders went to battle for the full 10 laps.

Falzon was in fifth place as they entered the last lap but was able to make some impressive passes on the final lap to take the win by a narrow .2 of a second. The race win was enough to secure him the overall round victory.

“That second race is what racing is all about. All the guys were riding so well and we were all so close, it was just good to be a part of it. I knew I needed to win the race to get the round win and I was fortunate to have a few things go my way on the final lap and I was able to take advantage of it.

“That’s just the start the team needed for the championship and everyone on the Jon Daniels Racing team has put in a huge effort. We look forward to the next round and hope this is the start of a successful year,” Falzon said.

Chris Quinn showed blistering speed over the weekend and used his years of experience to be well placed after the opening round. He overcame issues during timed qualifying and a third row start on the grid to post fast laps and good results.

His second place finish in both races gave him second for the round, just three points off Falzon but more impressive was his speed in the final race, clocking the fastest lap of the race and one of the best laps on a 600cc bike seen at Phillip Island in an amazing battle for the lead, on his Coopers Pale Ale Yamaha R6.

Aaron Morris started out the weekend as the man to beat qualifying on pole position and then went on to win the opening race in convincing fashion. Race two began to look like a repeat with Morris again charging his way to the front, only to fall on lap two and he was unable to remount.

Fortunately, he wasn’t injured but his bike was damaged and he took the long walk back to pit lane. Despite the final leg DNF, Morris still finished the round in eighth overall.

“It was a very pleasing weekend,” stated YRT’s John Redding. “Both the YRT development riders and those with YRD assistance performed well and it was a great weekend for Yamaha in the Supersport class.”

“Race two was an incredible race and one of the best I have seen. All six guys were in an intense battle for the lead and it showcased the talent and skill of the riders and the performance of the Yamaha R6.”

“It was a great start to the series for Daniel and Chris, while Aaron showed his has the speed and I’m sure he will make up the lost points in the coming rounds.”