We’re a single round into the 2025 Mi-Bike Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) at Phillip Island, but already we’re beginning to see the narrative of the new season unfold. CycleOnline answers a series of questions that matter with round two just around the corner in Q&A.

Image: Foremost Media.

Q: Is Josh Waters on the path to title number five already?

A: It’s no secret that the Waters/Ducati Panigale V4 R combination are near untouchable at Phillip Island, and the four-time champion started off his title defence on the right note with a sweep at the Island. Considering Mike Jones (Yamaha Racing Team) managed a podium in P2 this time around, however, and will build momentum into the mid-season on the tighter track layouts, we’re not handing the trophy to Waters just yet. The Waters/Jones 1-2 could be a sign of things to come all season long.

Q: Can Ant West keep up this early-season form he’s displayed?

A: It may have been Waters who won the opening round, but we’re giving man of the match to veteran Queenslander Anthony West. He was quickest on Friday, qualified on the front row in second and then posted 2-3-3 scores for third overall. Of course, he’s recognised for his capabilities on the world stage at Phillip Island in the past, but it’s safe to say that he appears for real in 2025 and this won’t be the last time you see him on the box.

Image: Foremost Media.

Q: What should we expect from Cameron Dunker from here?

A: The promise was there at Phillip Island in qualifying fourth, but things unravelled when he crashed out of the opening encounter. There are growing expectations on Dunker to deliver in his second term of Superbike competition, despite being only 17 years of age, and this year he’s teamed up with Patrick Li’s MotoGo Yamaha program. The teenager went 5-4 across the remaining races to salvage P7 overall, but with a target of heading overseas sooner than later, Dunker has high expectations placed upon himself for this season.

Q: Will the Ducati switch go Glenn Allerton’s way?

A: As part of the newly-launched Superbike Advocates team, three-time champion Glenn Allerton’s arrival aboard a V4 R comes as a chance for him to put himself back on the podium consistently this year. Phillip Island was decent in qualifying sixth and then going 4-6 in the opening races, but a damaged radiator/overheating bike forced him out of the final encounter. Already, however, at 44 years of age, Allerton seems to have a stronger base on the Ducati than what he previously did on the BMW – they just need time to figure it out.

Image: Foremost Media.

Q: Is there any chance that Stop and Seal can compete on Michelins?

A: They have the riders, the equipment including a Motec electronics package on the R1Ms, and top-level personnel, but the fact that Robbie Bolger’s Stop and Seal team has opted for Michelin tyres on the Superbike in 2025 makes for an added challenge. Pirelli has proven to be the tyre to be on in ASBK, so while the efforts of Michelin are admirable and should be commended, it makes for an added challenge that the trio of Cru Halliday, Arthur Sissis – who finished on the podium at The Bend using Pirellis last year – and Tom Toparis will have to work through. For now, it’s effectively an inner-team battle among the Michelin runners.

Q: Who can actually take up the fight to Waters?

A: We’ll cut right to the chase here, because outside of Jones, there are few riders on the grid that appear capable of winning races – at least on paper, as of today. First in line otherwise would have to be Broc Pearson, once he and the DesmoSport Ducati team manage to string a weekend together, plus we wouldn’t put it past Allerton or even West to strike if the opportunity arises. Outside of that though, the two that will be eager to break through later in the year will be Max Stauffer (Yamaha Racing Team) and Dunker.