Features 15 Sep 2016

The Point: Winton's ASBK decider

Who multiple people are tipping to clinch the 2016 championship.

With the 2016 Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli to be decided at Winton, Victoria, on 30 September-2 October, three riders – Wayne Maxwell, Troy Herfoss and Glenn Allerton – are still in the frame to take the title. CycleOnline.com.au cornered a number of different identities to grab their thoughts on who’ll take home the number one plate.

Image: Russell Colvin.

Image: Russell Colvin.

Mike Jones (DesmoSport Ducati – 2015 ASBK champion):
Wayne is currently leading the ASBK championship and is going to what I think will be his strongest round at Winton, where I feel he will have a really good round. In my opinion, Wayne will be hard to beat there. He already has the lead of the championship, so it will be difficult for Glenn and Troy to gain any points on him.

Brayden Elliott (Knobby Underwear Suzuki – 2015 ASBK Supersport champion):
If you asked me a few months ago I would have said Wayne and after his results at Winton last year, I would say Wayne is probably going to be the man to beat. In saying that, Troy seems to have a lot more determination than what he had at the start of the year. We tested at Winton the other week and Troy was there and looked fast. If Troy can get it together he might be able to do it. If I had to bet but, I would say Wayne. Winton probably suits the Yamaha, on top of that if Wayne is on fire, he will be hard to beat. Another factor will be tryes – I know Pirelli has brought out a new compound, which has been awesome, that raced on at Morgan Park. If I had to put money on it, I would say Wayne, but at the same time Troy has a lot of determination, as I said.

Sloan Frost (Next Gen Motorsports Suzuki – 2016 NZSBK champion):
If I had to put my money on it I’d say Troy. However it’s a tough call to bet against Wayne though with the form he has carried throughout the season and his sheer determination. I’d most like to see Glenn take the title, but with 11 points to make up on someone like Wayne it would be a big call. I’m thinking with the new surface, higher corner speeds and lack of any long straights the Honda should be strong, combine that with more of that dominating performance from Morgan Park and I think Troy will take it the title.

Image: Russell Colvin.

Image: Russell Colvin.

Don Nicholas (Pirelli Moto product manager):
I’m picking Troy Herfoss. At Morgan Park we saw just what he’s capable of, with a very positive result for him and Team Honda Racing. The momentum has swung his way with one round to go, so it will be interesting to see how that dynamic plays out at Winton. I think it will be interesting too to see how Mike Jones bounces back and if that plays into the overall result – it’s a focused, passionate group of guys at DesmoSport Ducati who just get on with the business of racing and I’m sure Mike will be working hard to finish the season in a high for TB, Ben and Ducati. Maxwell on the Yamaha leads into the round, with his teammate Allerton just a few points back. Both these guys are determined and experienced, so it makes for an exciting final round of the championship ahead at Winton. The new surface adds another factor come race distance. One thing I’m sure of is it’s going to be great weekend’s racing and I hope a big crowd come top cheer them on at the final round of ASBK.

Alex Gobert (Foremost Media director):
What I think will happen is Wayne and Troy will split a race win each. I think the work that Wayne has already put in during the season to give him the small advantage he already has will really enable him go ahead and clinch the championship for this season. Troy has come on strong on in the late stages once again, however it might just be a little bit too late. In terms of Glenn, I feel that he is a little way out of the championship at the moment, so what he’ll mostly be relying on is if something happens between Troy or Wayne, then it will be up to him to put himself in a position to pick up what he can and that could very well result in another title.

Russell Colvin (CycleOnline.com.au ASBK contributor):
As much as I hate doing this, as it’s always so much easier asking the question, I believe Wayne will take home the championship. However, it’s going to be a serious fight between all three riders, but after watching Wayne at the Yamaha test in August, he does look like he was on the pace and it does seem as if he has good a race package. With a slender championship lead, that will help him as well. I’m more looking at it on paper and if the form guide is anything to go by, Winton does suit Wayne, as it was proven last year when he was unstoppable and walked away with the round win by taking out every race. My money is on Wayne.

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