Image: Supplied.

Australia has been given the green light to stage the opening round of the 2019 Motul Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK), with the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit to host the season opener between 22-24 February.

Mark the date in your diary for the Yamaha Finance round and start planning for your summer getaway at Victoria’s Phillip Island, with tickets on sale in mid-October and updates available at www.worldsbk.com.au.

It’s destined to be another classic WorldSBK weekend of back-to-back, super-intense racing and exceptional access to riders for all three-day fans.

Last February’s revamped Paddock Show returns, as does the unique post-race Parc Ferme in the middle of the paddock. Fans loved it in 2018 as riders alighted their bikes at close range, pumping with post-race adrenalin, streaming with sweat and sharing their celebrations with the fans.

It was nothing less than sensational, so the key message is ‘See You Trackside’ for the full Superbike fan experience. Aim to be at the Island from Friday to Sunday, as entry to the hot and happening paddock is included free for all three-day pass holders.

Riders are already confirming their seats for 2019, with three-time world champion and part-time Australian resident Jonathan Rea continuing with Kawasaki alongside new teammate Leon Haslam. Yamaha is back with Alex Lowes and Michael van der Mark, both re-signed for 2019 and brimming with confidence after the duo won the Suzuka 8 Hours.

The factory Ducati line-up has had a shake-up with the announcement that highly-experienced Spaniard Alvaro Bautista will make the move to WorldSBK after six years in MotoGP. He joins the likeable Welshman Chaz Davies, who continues his five-year association with Ducati – the duo working together in 2019 to campaign the Italian marque’s new Panigale V4.

Kids 15 and under gain free entry if accompanied by a full-paying adult and the offer extends to free camping for youngsters (15 and under) in the circuit campground. For further information on the 2019 Yamaha Finance Superbike World Championship next 22-24 February at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, go to www.worldsbk.com.au.