Welcome to a fresh new edition of Cycle Central on CycleOnline.com.au, which we’re slightly revamping for 2014 upon race week of the Australasian Superbikes. Like most things we’re looking to refine the way content is delivered on a daily basis, so here’s the new structure for the season ahead.

Source: Yamaha Motor Australia.

Take your pick

Last night we launched the 2014 ASC Form Guide, a three tier feature that we’ll use to bring in the upcoming season. We started with five riders that will shine at times as championship long shots, while tonight we’ll feature five riders that are very real threats for the title. And then tomorrow, we’ll reveal the five guys we believe deserve the title of pre-season favourites. These types of articles come under a bit of fire from some, where some agree, others don’t. But that’s exactly the point of them – we want to create a bit of debating amongst the industry and potential fans in the season lead-up. We definitely stand by our ratings, even if the series is undoubtedly hard to predict, and the great thing is that time will tell the real story of 2014. Bring on race day!

Scaling back

While many bikes will look the same as what you’re used to seeing them at the ASBK (for those that have switched over), there are a heap of changes that the likes of Glenn Allerton, the Hondas and others will have to adapt to. Less electronic aid (even minor things such as engine brake assist) take some time to get used to, while in terms of set up, we’ll see some minor changes across the board (such as Honda using Ohlins, Allerton back to Dunlops, etc). When you comb through all the minor things, many are entering this weekend with a lot of uncertainties.

Club warm-up

Last weekend’s club race at Wakefield Park was a chance for some to hit the track again ahead of this weekend’s race. In the Superbikes, Troy Herfoss won upon return for Team Honda Racing in race one, before teammate Wayne Maxwell won the second two races and privateer BC Performance Kawasaki campaigner Ben Burke won the fourth and final outing. Jamie Stauffer held back a bit and posted the fastest times of the day in just over 40 laps of on-track activity with a 59.6s. He was the lone Honda to go under the 1m00 bracket but still over a second off Allerton’s test pace of 58.5s. Can they catch him when it counts?

Entries galore

With entries standing at 149 upon last count across all classes, this weekend’s shaping up to be everything promised and potentially more. It’s positive to see the sport slowly climbing out of the hole it’s been in for the past few years, as competitors see value in competing and hopefully enjoying the series each step along the way. And for the most part, the fields are stacked with quality competitors so we’re in for some good on track battles. This opening round in particular should be one of the most hard-fought on record not only for the front positions, but throughout the fields.

Split sessions

Due top the sheer popularity of the series right now, organisers have split Friday’s qualifying sessions into odd and even numbers, so instead of the scheduled four sessions in those classes, there will be three. At a circuit like Wakefield, quality track time means a lot when it comes to deciding the grids.

Metcher makes comeback

It’s been speculated for a while now, but Jed Metcher will be in the Formula Oz class on a Kawasaki ZX-10R with support from Race Centre. As a former European Superstock 600 Champion and World Supersport regular Metcher will bring a lot to the class, against other quality competitors such as Glenn Scott, Brendan Clarke (a surprise face on the Trinder Aprilia), Chris Trounson, Sloan Frost and even Phil Lovett – the veteran who continues to shade many of the sport’s young talents. He’s going to star all season long in this class, you watch.

KTM Naked

One bike certain to attract a heap of interest this weekend is Angus Reekie’s KTM 1290 Super Duke R, entered in the Nakedbike and Pro-Twins combined categories. The bike’s made headlines worldwide since its release and with a capable rider like Reekie aboard, keep an eye out for lightening quick lap times as development rolls on. Looks like Phil Lovett will also be in the mix on the KTM as well.

That’s it for this week. Check out CycleOnline’s social media profiles for more updates and news from the domestic and international series. Just search ‘CycleOnline’ on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to follow us.