Image: Russell Colvin.

Yamaha Racing Team’s Wayne Maxwell was fastest overall at the conclusion of today’s opening practice sessions at Winton’s penultimate round of the 2018 Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK).

Maxwell, who is aiming to keep his title chances alive with a strong performance this weekend, set a flying 1m20.351s to edge practice two pace-setter Troy Herfoss (Penrite Honda Racing) to the top of the time-sheets.

Behind the pair of title contenders was Daniel Falzon (Yamaha Racing Team), with defending champion Josh Waters (Team Suzuki Ecstar) fourth and the final rider in the 1m20s. Filling the top five was Troy Bayliss (DesmoSport Ducati), who set the pace in this morning’s opening session.

With Pirelli riders leading the way once again, top of the Dunlop entries was Bryan Staring (Kawasaki BCperformance) in sixth, directly trailed by leading rookie Mark Chiodo on the second of the factory-supports Suzukis. Ted Collins (Next Gen Motorsports BMW), the returning Jamie Stauffer (McMartin Racing Ducati) and Arthur Sissis (SA Demolition & Salvage Honda) were the top 10.

In the Kawasaki Supersport class, Yamaha Racing Team’s points-leader Cru Halliday dominated day one as his new best lap of 1m23.200s was a full second clear of an impressive Nic Liminton (Yamaha) and Kiwi Damon Rees (Honda). Mladin Racing rider Max Croker (Suzuki) was fourth, with Cube Racing title hopeful Tom Toparis (Kawasaki) fifth.

Yamaha-mounted Max Stauffer also lodged a new best lap in Supersport 300, his 1m32.144s bettering Zac Levy (Yamaha) and Tom Bramich (Yamaha). Stauffer was even quicker in the R3 Cup at 1m32.065s, leading the way from Bramich and Locky Taylor. The all-Yamaha GP Juniors Cup saw Joel Kelso go fastest from Stauffer and Luke Power.

Detailed results