News 3 Feb 2014

ASBK Supersport champion Falzon transfers to ASC

Yamaha Racing Development support favours ASC series.

Source: Yamaha Motor Australia.

Source: Yamaha Motor Australia.

Multiple Australian champion Daniel Falzon will lead a quality Australasian Supersport Championship (ASC) field when the series starts at Wakefield Park next month, confirming he will switch from the Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) in 2014.

The talented South Australian, winner of the 2013 ASBK Supersport and 2012 ASBK Superstock 600 titles, will remain aboard a Yamaha Racing Developments (YRD)-supported YZF-R6 for John Daniels Racing.

Falzon’s decision was largely confirmed upon the ASC’s return to his home circuit at Mallala, made concrete once ASBK organisers released details that the Wanneroo V8 Supercars round will clash with his home event in SA.

“It’s a massive decision,” Falzon told CycleOnline.com.au. “We will keep our options open, we’re fans of the ASBK format, but each series has its pros and cons. We’ll look to do rounds one of both, but as far as I know at this stage the ASC will be the way we go.

“We’ll still have Caterpillar backing and I look forward to it with a lot of big names coming to the series.”

Yamaha’s support rider structure will undergo major revisions for 2014 as regulations outlaw factory participation in the ASC Supersport category, now heavily weighted toward the ASC series.

“Our bonus and support program this year is 99.9 percent focused on riders competing in the ASC,” Yamaha Racing Team manager John Redding explained. “If we do have riders competing in the ASBK, it’s only with very, very minimal support.”

Falzon will spearhead Yamaha’s title defence in the ASC – won by factory rider Rick Olson last year – with increased support for 2013 ASBK Supersport series 1-2 finishers Falzon and arch-rival Aaron Morris intended for the series.

Additional riders with YRD support in 2014 will include former factory rider Pat Medcalf and noted privateer front-runner Michael Blair.

Kirk McCarthy Memorial Award winner Matt Davies has also gained YRD support, scheduled to contest the ASBK Supersport series, as have hard-charging Queensland duo Callum Spriggs and Aiden Wagner, who will split their time between ASBK and ASC.

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