Image: Rusty Colvin.

Current Australian Superbike Champion Wayne Maxwell made a strong return to Honda today in the first practice of this weekend’s Phillip Island Championship opener, fastest in difficult conditions to commence the round.

Motul Honda rider Maxwell led a sweep of the top three for Honda upon return to the brand, with CBR1000RR SP-equipped Team Honda Racing teammates Josh Hook and Jamie Stauffer second and third respectively.

Maxwell’s fastest lap of 1m34.212 was well shy of race pace due to the windy conditions, trailed by Hook and Stauffer as the lone trio in the 1m34 bracket.

“Today was extremely windy, it’s a lot different to last week when we tested here,” Maxwell told CycleOnline.com.au. “The Honda CBR1000RR handled the wind really, really well out there.

“It’s great start for Team Honda Racing and the Motul/Pirelli Honda to get on top in the first practice here at the World Superbikes.”

Fourth overall and over three seconds shy of the leaders was top Prostock entry Sean Condon (Bikebiz / Ipone / Swann Insurance Racing Kawasaki), while veteran Phil Lovett was a surprise fifth (Cessnock Motorcycles / Central Coast Harley Davidson Kawasaki) overall and fourth of the Superbikes.

South Australian Adam Christie on an Ace Racing / Moto Adelaide BMW ended the session in a promising sixth overall – fifth of the Superbikes.

Western Australian Ben Henry made his official Kawasaki debut for Cube Racing and Australian Outdoor Living, seventh overall and second of the Prostock runners. Another ZX-10R, national champion Matt Walters (Rover Coaches / Kawasaki Connection), was next on the timesheets as third of the Prostocks.

New Zealander Sloan Frost has been called in to replace Next gen Motorsports BMW rider Glenn Allerton, who will ride for BMW Motorrad Italia in World Superbike this weekend. Frost was 10th overall and sixth Superbike in proceedings, directly behind Gas Honda’s Chris Trounson.

In Supersport it was national champion Daniel Falzon (Caterpillar EPS / Yamaha) who topped the charts with a 1m38.476, edging out fellow YZF-R6 competitors Aiden Wagner (YRD / XXX Rated Suspension / Wagner Soil Testing Yamaha) and Aaron Morris (Maxima Yamaha).

A major casualty of the day was Yamaha-mounted Michael Blair, who sustained a suspected broken wrist in an incident during the session.

2014 Phillip Island Championship
Round one – Phillip Island, VIC

Superbike practice one results:
1 Wayne MAXWELL 1m34.212
2. Josh HOOK 1m34.488
3. Jamie STAUFFER 1m34.922
4. Sean CONDON 1m37.259 (Prostock)
5. Phil LOVETT 1m37.427
6. Adam CHRISTIE 1m37.617
7. Ben HENRY 1m37.767 (Prostock)
8. Matt WALTERS 1m37.927 (Prostock)
9. Chris TROUNSON 1m38.349 (Prostock)
10. Sloan FROST 1m38.452

Supersport practice one results:
1. Daniel FALZON 1:38.476
2. Aiden WAGNER 1:38.886
3. Aaron MORRIS 1:39.233
4. Matthew DAVIES 1:40.143
5. Callum SPRIGGS 1:40.287
6. Samuel LAMBERT 1:40.455
7. Hudson PITT 1:40.885
8. Ben BLYTH 1:42.947
9. Jay PRESEPIO 1:43.246
10. Justin DIGIANDOMENICO 1:43.556

Click here for detailed results