World Superbike is coming - Testing proves the young guns are ready to rumble
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| | | | | | | | WORLD SUPERBIKE IS COMING - TESTING PROVES THE YOUNG GUNS ARE READY TO RUMBLE
There’s been testing a plenty - both in Europe and Australia - as the world’s leading production bike riders sort their 2020 spec machines for the season-opener of the 2020 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship at Australia’s scintillating Phillip Island from February 28-March 1. And the message is clear, we are set for a Wild Ride, Trackside at the opening Yamaha Finance round with the schedule unveiled this week. Here’s your copy. |
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| In This Edition | » WorldSBK is coming! | | » Every Aussie needs a break - time for a Wild Ride, Trackside | | » Rea on top at Jerez, Toprak takes honours at Portimao | | » Custom Plates Giveaway | | » Join the Black Dog Ride to WorldSBK. Bookings close 17/2 | | » Merchandise Giveaway | | » Local Guns come out to play | » Buy tickets today & save
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A total of 15 races will be held across the three days, including the four world championship races – three WorldSBK and one WorldSSP – and 12 hit-outs across the four support classes.
The Aussies begin their 2020 national campaigns in the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance ASBK Championship presented by Motul for Kawasaki Superbike, Supersport, Supersport 300 and the young turks of the Oceania Junior Cup.
All that activity equates to motorcycles blasting around the sensational seaside circuit from 8:30am until 5:30pm from Friday until Sunday
Get set for a big race week down under when the world categories have their final pre-season test February 24 -25 at the island, in readiness for their first massive race of the year with tickets and camping available here.
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| | | Let's face it, every Aussie needs a break.
Time for a Wild Ride, Trackside |
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We know many of you have been affected by the fires and as Aussies enduring the last month, we all need a bit of a break. World Supers at Phillip Island really is a Great Mates Escape and totally affordable if you camp on-circuit, so grab some buddies and bike on down for a ton of fun – or join the Black Dog Ride to the World Supers for a week away with a bunch of motorcycling mates.
Tickets are affordable and with every three-day ticket you get free Paddock access to experience the post-race excitement of Parc Ferme at close range and the entertainment of the all-day Paddock Show. A three-day ticket is just $125* plus you can camp on-circuit for four nights for an extra $110* for each adult. And for families there’s an added bonus because kids 15 and under are free for entry and camping, if accompanied by a full-paying adult.
The on-circuit campground is the go! Situated just above Southern Loop with views of Bass Strait and the track, you sleep just metres from the action.
And at world supers, bikes are also always welcome, with no parking fees. Ride your bike on the service roads and park up and watch the racing from your favourite corner. It makes circumnavigating the track for spectators, super-easy.
Get your tickets at Ticketek or click here
 On-track camping and a barbie is the way to go
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| | | | Rea on top at Jerez; Toprak takes honours at Portimao |
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Late January saw the world superbike riders head to Spain’s Jerez (Jan 22-23) and Portugal’s Portimao (Jan26-27), with attention focussed on the new arrivals to the WorldSBK circus and the new bikes.
Honda fronted at Jerez for the first time, with Leon Haslam and Alvaro Bautista putting the all-new Honda CBR 1000RR-R through its paces. Haslam topped the time sheets on a rain-affected day one at Jerez and finished sixth overall over the two days; while Bautista focussed on learning the technicalities of an in-line four-cylinder motorcycle, something he has never ridden before. He finished Jerez in 8th.
 Leon Haslam on board the all new Honda
Interest also focussed on Ducati’s new recruit, British superbike champ Scott Redding, who’s set to shake up the 2020 grid. He’s been impressive from the start on the Ducati Panigale V4 R, and knows the track well having spent a fair amount of time at Jerez in MotoGP days. He finished 3rd overall at Jerez, whereas team mate Chaz Davies had a tough test, crashing twice and finishing 15th at the close.
 BSB champ Scott Redding joins World Superbikes
 Redding testing in Portimao
Yamaha appeared with a full roster at both tests with new recruit Turk Toprak Razgatlioglu (PATA Yamaha) the best performer – 2nd fastest in Jerez. His team mate Dutchman, Michael van der Mark was also in the mix as was independent rider, Frenchman Loris Baz, particularly impressive on the Ten Kate Racing Yamaha YZF R1.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Rea sat back and watched it all unfold. Not keen to dabble in the rain on day one in Jerez, Rea sat it out and let the others battle over the time sheet. Day two he showed why he is five-times world champion, laying down just 19 laps on the ZX-10RR and setting the fastest time of the day, with a 1m40.983 s lap. New team mate Alex Lowes played around with his new Kawasaki machine and sorted settings.
Others at the test included the BMW duo of Tom Sykes and Eugene Laverty, plus Italy’s Michael Ruben Rinaldi, Federico Caricasulo and the USA’s Garrett Gerloff.  Rea led the way in Jerez
Jerez top six:
1. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) 1’40.983 (19 laps)
2. Toprak Razgatlioglu (PATA YAMAHA WORLDSBK OFFICIAL TEAM) +0.231 (42 laps)
3. Scott Redding (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati) +0.424 (43 laps)
4. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +0.659 (44 laps)
5. Michael van der Mark (PATA YAMAHA WORLDSBK OFFICIAL TEAM) +1.724 (43 laps)
6. Leon Haslam (HRC Team) +1.814 (32 laps)
Next stop was Portugal’s Portimao (Jan 26-27). Nothing could stop Razgatlioglu, he worked tirelessly to sort a better front-end set up on his Pata Yamaha and hit the top of the Portugal standings. He will be there from the get-go come Phillip Island. Razgatlioglu topped the time sheets in Portugal Redding focussed on tyre life and grip, coming in second quickest; Baz was third fastest on the Yamaha; and then came van der Mark, Davies and Haslam. Haslam, Bautista and HRC kept their cards close to their chest in Portugal. Haslam led, setting a faster lap time in the test than in racing; while Bautista was less prominent and came in 15 th. Over the two days, the Spanish ace set the 21 st best time. Uncharacteristic after he cleaned up the early part of last season, to take 16 wins on the trot. As Haslam said in a recent interview with gpone.com … “ He wasn’t fast last year either in the first tests with Ducati, then, once the season started he won 16 races. Alvaro has a lot of experience, and he’s getting to know this bike, just like me. We’re in a training period. I feel that the team knows the direction we need to follow.”   Never underestimate Alvaro Bautista - Honda test
BMW’s Sykes and Laverty also featured over the two-day test within the top five, but the test ended with Sykes seventh and Laverty eighth. Placing mid-field was Caricasulo and Gerloff (ninth and 10 th respectively), while outside the top ten sat Rinaldi, Leandro Mercado, Xavi Fores, Sylvain Barrier and Sandro Cortese. Portimao top six:1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (PATA YAMAHA WORLDSBK OFFICIAL TEAM) 1’40.804 2. Scott Redding (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati) +0.079 3. Loris Baz (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) +0.190 4. Michael van der Mark (PATA YAMAHA WORLDSBK OFFICIAL TEAM) +0.622 5. Chaz Davies (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati) +0.795 6. Leon Haslam (HRC Team) +0.851   Loris Baz with Ten Kate Yamaha in 2020
And where was Rea, Lowes and Kawasaki on the Portimao time sheet, we hear you ask? KRT remained in Spain spending a day at the Barcelona circuit of Catalunya, which is set to join the WorldSBK calendar in September 2020. “We got really decent weather here, the track was dry and we managed to put in a lot of laps,” said Rea. “We were able to back-to-back some items that we were not sure about with the weight balance of the bike in Jerez. I feel fast and consistent and this positive test has prepared us to go to Australia.” One thing is for sure, Rea is ready for the battle at Phillip Island and the quasi Aussie needs our support in the stands. Make sure you’re trackside come February 28!   Rea on track for Phillip Island |
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Custom Plates are giving fans a chance to win a prize pack which includes a Custom Plates voucher, go karting session and 3-Day passes to the Superbike World Championship. All you need to do is tell them about your first motorbike. Enter now!
T&Cs apply
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| | | Join the Black Dog Ride to the World Superbikes
Bookings Close February 17 |
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 Want to turn your trip to World Superbikes at the end of February into a week-long Great Mates’ Escape?
Join the Black Dog Ride to the World Supers at Phillip Island and treat yourself to a week with people who love motorcycles plus receive a host of on-track privileges exclusively developed for Black Dog Riders.
Riders gather Monday February 24, with NSW riders departing from Queanbeyan and Victorian, Tasmanian and South Australian riders leaving from Marysville. Enjoy three days on the road before checking into the island for the February 28-March 1 season-opener of the 2020 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, Yamaha Finance round.
Despite the bush fires that have ravaged much of our country, the Black Dog Ride is definitely going ahead said ride coordinator, Bernie Garvey.
“Now more than ever, people need a great mates escape! The bushfire tragedy has affected everyone, so here’s a chance to gather with a bunch of bike-loving people, ride the great open road for three days and talk motorcycles to everyone we meet,” said Bernie.
“In some cases our initial route went through fire-affected areas. If it is safe to do so, we will still visit these towns, spend a few bucks and chat with people who have suffered.
“Our final destination of course is the awesome Phillip Island for World Superbikes, and in our third year there, we will be talking to fans and just chilling with everyone to enjoy the world’s best production racers in action.”
Interested?
Click here to hear from Bernie on the Black Dog Ride from Marysville, Victoria
Click here for the NSW ride from Queanbeyan
GOLD and SILVER Black Dog Ride tickets feature a host of benefits including
· A money-can’t-buy Parade Lap of the Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit on board your own bike, Thursday of race weekend
· Black Dog Dinner on-circuit on Friday night, hosted by Mark Bracks
· Camp in the exclusive Black Dog Ride camping area
· Visit Carl Cox’s Inline 4 café at Cape Woolamai, packed with motorcycling memorabilia
Bookings close Monday February 17, so for all route information and to book click here
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| | | | | | To celebrate 30 years of World Superbikes at Phillip Island we’re giving away a 30th year commemorative keyring with every merchandise sale over $50.00 from 1st – 8th February.
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| | | | Local Guns come out to play |
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| | | | Aussie championship hostilities kick-off at the WorldSBK opener at Phillip Island, and if this week’s testing is any guide we’re in for 12 cracking races. In Kawasaki Superbikes, Victorian Wayne Maxwell aboard his new Ducati Panigale V4R has just cranked out the best ever lap at Phillip Island for an Australian Superbike – a 1m31.776 blitzer on the 4.445km circuit - set in Thursday’s heat.  Wayne Maxell – fastest ever lap of an ASBK bike at the island
Mike Jones on the Desmosport Ducati
Maxwell has sorted himself with the same machine defending champion Mike Jones will ride in 2020. Jones was not far behind on his Desmosport Ducati, second on the time sheets with a 1m32.434 time to his credit over the two-day Phillip Island test. The grid is packed with sublime talent: hard-charger Aiden Wagner, who’s now joined Yamaha’s factory effort, reigning No. 2 Troy Herfoss (Honda), Bryan Staring (Kawasaki), Daniel Falzon (Yamaha), Josh Waters (Suzuki) and Cru Halliday (Yamaha). Last year’s towering Supersport presence, Tom Toparis, will compete at Phillip Island before he heads overseas for the balance of 2020 (which will include WorldSSP appearances in Europe), but he’ll have his work cutout against the likes of Jack Hyde, Oli Bayliss, Nic Liminton, Broc Pearson, Jack Passfield and Max Stauffer – the son of multiple Aussie Superbike champion, Jamie, who’s making the move up from Supersport 300.  Tom Toparis will ride ASS at Phillip Island
While Superbikes and Supersport are the horsepower kings of the support card at Phillip Island, Supersport 300 and the Oceania Junior Cup – a junior road racing academy that began in 2019 to develop our next stars – are where the most positional changes will occur as riders continually jockey for position around the grand prix circuit.
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| | Buy your Tickets Today and Save |
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| | Book now for a weekend getaway at the World Superbikes from February 28-March 1.Just jump online to book here · Purchase a three-day general admission ticket with Free Paddock Access just $125* · Want to spend a little more? Buy a three-day Bar SBK ticket for $265* giving access to three undercover viewing areas at the circuit’s most thrilling corners – Doohan Corner, Siberia and Lukey Heights. · Bar SBK ticket holders also get access to the exclusive grandstand at Doohan Corner, along with parking at Siberia and Lukey Heights and prime Superscreen viewing from each facility. *All ticket prices quoted are in advance and subject to Ticketek booking and handling fees |
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