Source: Phillip Island Circuit.

As the world’s top Superbike and Supersport teams converge on Phillip Island today for the final, pre-season test prior to this weekend’s season kick off of the 2015 FIM Superbike World Championship, Alex Phillis is counting his lucky stars.

Phillis, the son of Aussie Superbike legend Rob Phillis, was offered a ride with the Italian Lorini Honda squad for the opening round of the Supersport World Championship, Swann round at the island this coming Sunday.

Just off a plane Saturday night from a skiing trip to Japan his mum gave him for his 21st birthday, Phillis arrived at the circuit early Sunday to meet his Lorini team and prepare for today’s test where he’ll be on track just after 9:00am.

The 21-year-old was not even born when his dad – a larger than life rider for Kawasaki in the ’80s and ’90s – rode in the first WSBK round at Phillip Island in 1990 and came up trumps in race two after a monumental dice with compatriots Peter Goddard and Malcolm Campbell.

A quarter of a century down the track, Alex, who lives in the outer Melbourne eastern suburb of Kilsyth, has been given the chance to compete at a world championship level after a road racing career which has spanned seven years on race tracks across Australia and Europe.

At Phillip Island, Alex will be joined by fellow class debutantes Glenn Scott, Aiden Wagner and Sam Lambert in the World Supersport line-up.

The recently turned 21-year-old Phillis will replace Alessandro Nocco in the Team Lorini squad, riding a Honda CBR600RR alongside experienced Italian and three-time 250 GP winner Roberto Rolfo.

Alex has recently returned home to Australia after a couple of seasons racing in the German IDM Superstock 1000 title.

“This is a brilliant birthday present!” said Phillis, who turned 21 in January. “Like all riders, I’ve always wanted to compete at a world championship level, and I want to thank Team Lorini for giving me the chance to compete at Phillip Island.

“It’s an experienced team and they know how to get the job done, and Raffaele De Rosa was very competitive on the Honda in 2014.

“I’ll start testing the CBR600RR at Phillip Island today. I’ll obviously be playing catch-up with the rest of the pack but I’ll just have to put that in the back of my mind and get down to business.

“At least I know the circuit well and I’m looking forward to riding at Phillip Island again after a two-year absence.”

Alex’s dad couldn’t be happier with his son’s call-up.

“It’s horn that Alex is going to be riding in the World Supersport race,” said Rob, who still competes in the historic racing ranks. “He’s a good kid with an experienced head on his shoulders – unlike me at that age – and he’ll give it his best shot.

“Racing against the best in the world is a strong test for anyone, but he’ll give it a good shot. I can’t wait to see him get out there.”

After beginning his motorcycle racing career in the motocross ranks, Alex then moved onto junior road racing before finishing fourth in the 2011 Australian 125GP title, which included seven visits to the dais.

In 2013 and 2014 Alex rode a Kawasaki ZX-10R in the German IDM Superstock 1000 title, with a best overall finish of fourth in his first season.

For tickets and on-circuit camping for this weekend’s 2015 Superbike World Championship opener, Phillip Island Swann round are available on www.worldsbk.com.au or call the SBK toll free hotline on 1 300 728 007.