Image: Foremost Media.

The ever-tenacious Troy Herfoss has outlined grip issues that he was suffering at Phillip Island, the Penrite Honda Racing rider confident of improvement in the upcoming rounds after commencing the 2023 Mi-Bike Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) P3 overall.

Herfoss notched a 1m32.168s to qualify fifth for the weekend’s three races, leading throughout the rain-affected restart of race one before ultimately fending off Glenn Allerton and Mike Jones to secure the runner-up position.

In races two and three, Herfoss finished fourth and fifth respectively, fighting back once passed by the likes of Allerton and battling with those around him until the end in a bid to secure the best possible results. While Allerton was able to edge Herfoss in the final bout, the determination of the number 17 was clear as he would not give up the position easily when caught.

“It’s because what I’m riding isn’t letting me do what I can do,” Herfoss said to CycleOnline.com.au.”Physically, I am in really good shape, there are parts of the track where even when I am struggling, I am strong, because I can still ride the bike in certain parts of the track good, the bike just has no grip. When I am back there battling with Glenn and Bryan, this is no disrespect to them because they have beaten me fair and square and a lot in my career, but this weekend I had so much pace.

“On turn entry and the edge of the tyre I was okay, the bike just has no grip on the exit of the corner. So I am there struggling, but I am able to pass because the bike is good in certain areas. It’s just super frustrating at the moment, very frustrating.”

In terms of the championship standings, Herfoss is equal second with defending title-holder Jones, the pair 23 points back from Josh Waters (McMartin Racing Ducati) who completed a perfect weekend with pole and three race wins.

“Really good for the championship to be equal with Mike in the points and third overall,” Herfoss added. “It’s pretty hard to swallow, because we are not on the same planet as Josh, we’ve just got to keep fronting up I think. It is going to be one of those years I think, hard and pray for some mistakes on Josh’s behalf, see what we can do and capitalize if they arise.

“There’s always something that happens throughout the year, I’m strong everywhere really, but in comparison to Josh and the package that he is on, we are weak here. The other tracks will definitely improve for me, I can maybe close the gap to him a little bit. Josh is strong at every track, so it will just be a matter of striking where the mistakes arise.”