Image: Foremost Media.

Multi-time championship-winning team ER Motorsport has moved to reinforce its intent to enter select rounds of the 2025 Mi-Bike Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) following its late withdrawal from Phillip Island, signalling a strategic return to national competition.

The Victorian-based team eventually opted out of the opening round last month, instead focusing on refining its racing plans for the new year, which involves entering a Ducati Panigale V4 R in a part-time campaign.

In the lead-up to round one, ER Motorsport had been linked to a potential reunion with triple ASBK champion Troy Herfoss in what was understood to be a partnership of sorts with DesmoSport Ducati, but the targeted agreement with MotoAmerica King of the Baggers number one Herfoss hadn’t materialised in time. 

While the team had initially lodged its entry for Phillip Island and had a newly-assembled V4 R on location, plans ultimately fell through. Instead, Herfoss has indicated that he is focusing on his US title defence, which commenced with 8-2 scores at Daytona last weekend following a crash in race one.

“This year we were determined to approach things differently, exploring several exciting options with Penrite for later in the year,” commented team owner Deon Coote. “We’re confident that the direction we’ve chosen will deliver something fresh and exciting for both fans and sponsors, and we’re looking forward to announcing our rider line-up shortly.”

According to a statement released by the team today, further details – including the specific rounds the team will contest and its roster – are set to be revealed in the coming weeks. It’s unclear if the Coote-led team will continue to collaborate with the Queensland-based DesmoSport organisation, however, Elite Roads – the business behind ER Motorsport – branding was visible on Broc Pearson’s Panigale at the opener.

ER Motorsport was launched full-time in 2018 and operated as Honda’s factory program until 2024, when it instead partially supported Max Stauffer and Cameron Dunker on privateer Yamaha machinery with an ongoing Penrite Oil association.