Image: Keith Muir.

Standout YMF Australian Superbike Championship privateer Daniel Falzon was satisfied in qualifying second at Phillip Island’s final round this afternoon, making it an R1 1-2 on the grid behind factory rider Wayne Maxwell.

Falzon’s flying lap in qualifying two of 1m32.600s was just 0.013s from Maxwell’s pole time and a new personal best at the flowing Victorian venue. That pace came despite opting not to test in the lead-up to the final round.

“It was definitely satisfying,” Falzon told CycleOnline.com.au. “I mean, we didn’t get pole position, but honestly we’re a bit on the back foot not doing testing last week and also missing a couple of practice sessions yesterday in the misty weather. We put down some really fast laps today, two under my personal best here, so I’m very happy to be that close to pole position. It’s a great result for our team.”

Falzon dominated Phillip Island’s opening round in February on World Superbike weekend to take pole and sweep the trio of races, but a recent string of difficult rounds has effectively put him out of title contention for 2017.

Still, the South Australian – who was recently crowned the Pan Delta champion in China – isn’t ruling out edging Kawasaki-mounted Robbie Bugden for top privateer in the standings and could potentially climb into the top three if the cards fall his way tomorrow. Like most, he’s prepared for whatever the weather delivers to wrap up the year.

“I’ve just got to focus on myself,” he said of his strategy for Sunday. “We’ve had a couple too many DNFs this year and we’re a lot of points down, so it’s unrealistic to be looking at the championship, so it’s just about getting good results for myself regardless of the weather tomorrow. There is certain riders I’d prefer to be winning the championship, but there’s not any team orders as far as Yamaha goes.

“I’m going out there for myself and if it comes down to it then the best rider’s going to end up winning. To be top privateer would be nice, we’ve just got Robbie to catch there. If not, this is motorcycle racing and anything can happen – we could end up on the podium for all I know. We’ll take it as it comes.”