Image: Russell Colvin.

Crankt Protein Honda Racing’s Troy Herfoss has labelled Phillip Island’s opening round of the YMF Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli a ‘bad weekend’, but remains happy after taking home a fighting fourth place.

Herfoss was caught up in the middle of the scary straightline crash of teammate Jamie Stauffer in race one, damaging the rear Pirelli tyre on his CBR1000RR and beating up the bike in the process.

But the reigning Australasian Superbike Champion was able to limp his way home to salvage fifth, then fifth again in race two and a runner-up result in race three to cap off a trying weekend. It was a decent result under the circumstances.

“It was a hard weekend, but a good one,” Herfoss told CycleOnline.com.au post-race. “I would consider it a bad weekend and as far as they go, it was really good. We’ve got good speed and all that kind of stuff, we were just a bit unlucky in a few areas.

“It was a bit worrying with Glenn getting three wins, that’s a bit points gap he’s got in one round, but we’re headed to Wakefield now and we’ve got Winton, plus the other tracks. I’m quite confident that this is our hardest track on the calendar this year, so I’m happy to head to Wakefield in a good position.”

With Crankt Protein Honda Racing returning to the ASBK fulltime for the 2016 season, Herfoss’ next outing will take place at his home round in Goulburn on the Easter weekend of 25-27 March.