The new year is upon us and so far, week one of 2015 has been a great one. We’re constantly tweaking and refining the process of delivering this very website, which is an almighty challenge, but a rewarding one at the start of each year. And part of that is that this very feature is now titled Cycle 360 (formerly Cycle Central) and will be coming to you on Saturdays!

Like racers, teams, or many companies in the industry, we view the new year as a time to reassess goals, move forward and generally improve strategies. And it’s definitely not hard to get excited, because just like you, we’re stoked when the points start from zero in the new racing seasons.

First on the agenda, although only featuring a single Aussie in Linden Magee (at least in the premier class), is the opening round of the 2015 New Zealand Superbike Championship in Christchurch. That’s this weekend and already racing’s underway, so stay tuned for details once it’s all wrapped up.

Source: Troy Bayliss Events.

Next weekend though is one of the major events on the calendar; the Troy Bayliss Classic in Taree. The third edition of the event is shaping up to be the most spectacular yet, and as far as road racing goes, there are plenty of riders to look out for. Check the entry list here.

Aside from Bayliss himself and the ultra-strong American contingent, the increased focus of Troy Herfoss this year could see the Aussie Superbike regular upstage all before him with a win, and a full season of racing under his belt during 2014 (following more than a year off will only help his cause). I’m excited to see it all go down.

On the subject of Herfoss, his Team Honda Racing effort is yet to actually confirm whether they will be racing the Australasian Superbike Championship (ASC) again or the MA-sanctioned Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK), but sources suggest that the ASC is the more likely option right now.

However, as they do (and these decisions do usually sway either way before finalisation), sources said beforehand that the ASBK is Honda’s choice, so only time will tell at this point. For the sake of saving any more speculation, let’s hope as soon as Honda decides, it’s quickly made public so we can look ahead without saying “if Honda is there” when any ASC bench racing takes place.

Image: Keith Muir.

Yamaha is due to complete another shakedown on the 2015 YZF-R1M in Queensland early next week, this time expected to feature Glenn Allerton and Cru Halliday at the helm after Wayne Maxwell debuted it late last year. We’ll see what we can dig up after they hit the track on Tuesday.

And that’s about it for this week, the first of many that lie ahead, so thanks for stopping by and I look forward to your company throughout the season. This year, in my opinion, is shaping up as one of the best in a long time both locally and abroad.

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