Image: Russell Colvin.

Making the transition from Yamaha for his upcoming Mi-Bike Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) and Bennetts British Superbike Championship (BSB) endeavours, Mark Chiodo has outlined what motivated his Honda choice for 2023.

Chiodo piloted an R1 in a privateer ASBK effort last year, also debuting in the British National Superstock Championship on a Yamaha with the assistance of renowned technical expert Stuart Winton.

While Chiodo still has to adapt to the latest Fireblade, he is no stranger to Honda machinery as he competed with Penrite Honda Racing in 2019, notably leading ASBK laps at The Bend that year and finishing sixth overall at the final round in Sydney.

“Getting used to the Honda I don’t think will be too hard, with having the electronics sorted I bought a bike from Penrite Honda, so that makes that transition a lot easier, that’s for sure,” Chiodo explained to CycleOnline.com.au.

“Tim Hill will be helping with the suspension, he worked with Josh Waters on the BMW last year and he also worked in the Asia Road Racing Championship with Team Honda, so he already has info on the Honda so that’s awesome. We will just enjoy the first couple rounds, try and get some good races under our belt then try and go for some good positions later in the year.”

Chiodo’s efforts will be bolstered further by a larger crew in 2023, and he intends to compete in the complete ASBK championship. On top of his local efforts, he will return to the BSB championship, Honda-equipped, and plans to do the second half of the season at this stage in the National Superstock category.

Admittedly, trying to get everything dialled on the R1 domestically proved to be a challenge for Chiodo as a single rider, small team. While Yamaha Racing Development (YRD) provide an unrivalled level of support to up-and-coming road racers in Australia, Chiodo outlined that is in fact Honda in the UK that provides high levels of support.

That coupled with the opportunity to purchase a proven, well-developed platform to compete in Australia on a brand where he has felt comfortable in the past ultimately proved decisive in his 2023 decision.

“Over there it is easier to get help from Honda as well, you can buy bikes through them real cheap and go racing,” Chiodo added. “Also, obviously I have the connection with Deon [Coote] here who runs Penrite Honda Racing, it makes it a bit easier for me to get on a Honda here [in Australia].”

The first round of the 2023 Mi-Bike Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) takes place at Phillip Island on 23-26 February, while the second half of the BSB season commences at Brands Hatch between 21-23 July.