Image: Russell Colvin.

Arthur Sissis will contest a career-first home round of the Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) as it heads to The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia on 19-22 April, which will come as a new experience for the former international.

Sissis, who’s in his rookie ASBK season following a number of years on the international stage, has never competed in a high-calibre event in front of a home South Australian crowd during his professional career.

“For me this is all new, in terms of having a home state round,” Sissis told CycleOnline.com.au. “I have never done the ASBK series, so I have never really had a home round – except for Phillip Island when I was racing in the Moto3 World Championship. So it’s good, as we don’t have to travel far and I only live two hours away from The Bend Motorsport Park.”

The SA Demolitions Suzuki rider wound up eighth at this week’s test in Tailem Bend, which is an added improvement to his gradual progress this season.

Speaking of the new circuit, which hosted Superbikes for the first time on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sissis commented on the equal playing field it will serve at round three, however he did express his concerns regarding tyre degradation on the newly-laid surface.

“I think the best part about this track is that it is a level playing field for everyone,” he continued. “All the other rounds that I have been to, most of the other riders already have an advantage as this is my first year on a Superbike. Those other riders have done years and years on these bikes and on the tracks which the series goes to.

“The hardest part thus far has been getting the tyres to last, due to the new surface. Four to five laps and your tyres are destroyed. In saying that, it’s the same for everyone, as everyone is having the same problems.”

After lodging 22-12 results respectively at the opening two rounds, Sissis currently sits 16th in the championship standings.