Image: Supplied.

It could take consistent 57s lap-times to contend for the victory in Wakefield Park’s second round of the 2019 Motul Pirelli Australian Superbike Championship, according to Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Wayne Maxwell.

With the top seven riders in qualifying today all posting laps in the 57s bracket, Maxwell is tipping the race-pace will be ultra-quick on Sunday. He won race one there last year.

Maxwell slotted his GSX-R1000R into second on the grid following Q2 this afternoon at the Goulburn circuit and, just like arch-rival Troy Herfoss, he’s declared the front row to be significantly important during both 20-lap races that are scheduled.

“We’ve got a target that we’re going to aim for tomorrow in the race tomorrow, the high 57s, and hopefully that puts us in a good position,” Maxwell told CycleOnline.com.au. “That’s roughly where everyone is, so you’ll have to be there for over half-race distance and then see how it all pans out – we can go from there.

“Track position is very important, so I’m happy with second on the grid. We can’t afford to lose any more points… It’d be super-nice to get some back, but we can’t lose any more. Cru [Halliday] has a good pace, so does Troy, and a bunch of others aren’t far behind us either.”

The clash between round one winner Aiden Wagner and Maxwell in race two at Phillip Island’s opener was one of the major storylines last month, resulting in seventh overall for the 2013 ASBK title-winner. A strong finish at Wakefield will be pivotal for his title hopes.