Image: Russell Colvin.

DesmoSport Ducati’s Troy Bayliss has set the Thursday pace in Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) practice at The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia.

Three-time world champion Bayliss posted the benchmark in both of today’s sessions, his 1m53.394s in FP2 0.634s clear of home favourite Daniel Falzon (Yamaha Racing Team).

Third came defending champion Josh Waters (Team Suzuki Ecstar), while Wayne Maxwell (Yamaha Racing Team) had to settle for fourth when a lap on par to top Bayliss’ was ruined by a red flag toward the end of the second session. Penrite Honda Racing’s Troy Herfoss rounded out the top five.

Next came triple ASBK champion Glenn Allerton (Next Gen Motorsports BMW) in sixth as the final rider beneath the 55s marker, followed by Bryan Staring (Kawasaki BCperformance), impressive rookie Mark Chiodo (Team Suzuki Ecstar), Ted Collins (Next Gen Motorsports BMW) and another South Australian, Arthur Sissis (SA Demolition Suzuki).

Detailed results