Penrite Honda Racing’s Troy Herfoss has emerged fastest following an intriguing opening day of Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) testing at The Bend Motorsport Park in Tailem Bend, South Australia.

Herfoss lodged an impressive 1m55.920s lap-time late in the fifth and final session of the day as just one of two riders beneath the 56s bracket aboard his factory-backed CBR1000RR SP.

That time of Herfoss bumped South Australia’s own Daniel Falzon (Yamaha Racing Team) from the top of the charts with just minutes remaining, almost immediately followed by a flying Troy Bayliss (DesmoSport Ducati) as the chequered flag fell.

The late shuffle resulted in Herfoss atop the time-sheets, 0.031s from three-time world champion Bayliss with a 1m55.951s, who in turn wound up 0.750s ahead of Falzon’s 1m56.701s. Fourth came Wayne Maxwell (Yamaha Racing Team) with a 1m56.712s set in FP4, as reigning champion Josh Waters (Team Suzuki Ecstar) produced a 1m57.073s for P5.

It was triple ASBK champion Glenn Allerton (Next Gen Motorsports BMW) who set the early pace at The Bend, topping sessions one and three, however he ultimately ended day one in sixth overall, but with a sure increase of confidence on his side.

The top 10 was completed by another local in former Moto3 podium finisher Arthur Sissis (SA Demolition Suzuki), Matt Walters (Swann Insurance Kawasaki), newcomer Ted Collins (Next Gen Motorsports BMW) and Michael Blair (Gosford Classic Car Museum Yamaha).

The fresh track surface and sandy surroundings of the 4.95-kilometre International Circuit layout proved especially abrasive on tyres throughout day one, however times continued to drop as bikes circulated on the state of the art facility throughout the sessions.

Yamaha Racing Team’s Cru Halliday was untouched in the Kawasaki Supersport ranks after posting a flying lap of 1m59.303s in the fourth session. That time put him 0.648s clear of points leader Tom Toparis (Cube Racing Kawasaki) in second position, as Mladin Racing Suzuki-mounted rookie Max Croker was third with a 2:00.866s.

It was Croker – still on the mend from a broken collarbone sustained in the opening round – who set the early pace prior to the times tumbling later in the day, while Giuseppe Scarcella (Kawasaki BCperformance) and Broc Pearson (Yamaha) were fourth and fifth respectively overall.

In the Supersport 300 class it was former Red Bull Rookies regular Olly Simpson (Yamaha) who set the pace with a 2m14.141s set in the final session, topping Tom Bramich (Yamaha) and Yanni Shaw (Kawasaki), while Tayla Relph (Yamaha) and Cube Racing’s Oli Bayliss (Kawasaki) filled the top five.

Testing will continue on Wednesday in South Australia, prior to round three of the 2018 championship to be contested at The Bend Motorsport Park between 19-22 April.

Detailed results