Image: Russell Colvin.

Yamaha Racing Team trio Glenn Allerton, Wayne Maxwell and Cru Halliday will carry high hopes into this weekend’s Sydney round of the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship following a positive shakedown at the circuit this month.

Allerton won the opening round of the season and currently sits second in the standings despite crashing out of Wakefield Park’s opening race while leading, just two points in arrears of Honda title leader Troy Herfoss.

“Being able to test before the round, I feel like we have achieved a lot,” Allerton explained. “I was able to work with the bike and was able to find something. We were also able to work on areas of the track where previously I struggled and managed to pick up times.

“I am excited about getting on the bike again, I love riding the Yamaha, so it’s going to be great to be able to race in front of my friends and family at my home round, and to be in a race situation again, which is where I do my best work.”

After dominating race two at Wakefield Park, Maxwell is also satisfied with the current direction: “We had a test at Sydney Motorsport Park a few weeks ago and we really worked hard when we were there and I think we’re in a good position.

“Sydney is a very different track to Wakefield Park and the Yamaha does work well around Sydney. If we stay on top of things and the weather is good, then I think we can come out and be competitive.

“It’s still only round three and by Sunday we will be at the halfway point in the championship. So much has already happened in the first three rounds and so much can change between now and the finale at Winton in October. We are feeling good, and we’re all exciting to get back into it.”

Third factory Yamaha rider Cru Halliday has displayed his potential to lap at front-running speed during the Phillip Island and Wakefield Park rounds, but inconsistencies have struck him on both occasions. He too made gains during the Sydney shakedown.

“This weekend at round three I really need to gather some more points and stay consistent,” Halliday said. “We have tested at Eastern Creek and we tested quite strong, so this is a track that we all know and it’s a track that we’ve had some good results at. I don’t see why we can’t go Yamaha 1-2-3 this round.

“The bike really suits the track and all three of us know the circuit like the back of our hands. I really want to get an overall win, I went there and did it years ago and there’s no reason why I can’t do it again.”