The Australian Superbikes and the Australian Supersport 300 classes will be the key support categories to race at this year’s Michelin Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island
In addition to MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 classes, race fans can experience incredible racing with the Australian Supersport 300 making its debut outing at the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix alongside the Australian Superbikes.
Australian Grand Prix Corporation General Manager of Motorsport, Entertainment and Industry, Craig Fletcher, is pleased to confirm the two exciting categories across the three days at the Michelin Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.
“With both support categories secured, fans will be able to experience fantastic on-track action at the event,” said Fletcher in an official press release this morning.
“The Supersport 300 provides young riders the opportunity to compete on the world-stage,” explained Fletcher.
Three-time Superbike World Champion and co-owner of the DesmoSport Ducati team, Troy Bayliss, is excited to watch his 13-year-old son Oli Bayliss, who pilots the #86 Cube Racing Ninja 300 machine in the Supersport 300 class at Phillip Island at the third last round of the MotoGP world championship.
“The shift in classes has seen the boom of the Supersport 300, where young riders and future talent have a chance to gain professional experience,” said Bayliss.
“It will be great to see Oli race at the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix for the first time,” added Bayliss.
Motorcycling Australia CEO, Peter Doyle, is looking forward to bringing to fruition the new direction of having the Supersport 300 class as a support category at the event.
“We want to attract up and coming riders to the class and we certainly encourage them to apply for the opportunity to race at an international event,” said Doyle in an official press release.
“With a jam-packed on-track schedule, we are excited about another thrilling and successful Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix showcasing world-class racing.”
The Australian Superbikes are a fan favourite, with up to 40 Superbike machines starting on the grid. The Superbike races again will form the final round of the Phillip Island Championship.
Leading the Phillip Island Superbike Championship is the current Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) points Daniel Falzon.
The young South Australian rider won three races from three starts at the opening round of the Phillip Island Superbike Championship, which was also round one of the ASBK series at the end of February this year.
Falzon told AMCN that racing at the MotoGP is always a special weekend.
“The atmosphere is like no other and all the riders want to perform well as there is big crowds and world class race teams spectating,” said Falzon.
Top three riders in the Phillip Island Superbike Championship sees Falzon leading from Bugden from Herfoss
“It’s also an impressive event to involve current sponsors and perhaps gain new ones.”
Falzon explained that to win the Phillip Island Championship would be fantastic to win, as he and his JD Racing team started off the season winning all three races, which means they head in to the next round with a 22-point margin over Kawasaki BCperformance’s Robbie Bugden and a further 29-points clear from the reigning Phillip Island Superbike champion, Troy Herfoss (Crankt Protein Team Honda Racing).
Troy Herfoss is the reigning Phillip Island Superbike champion. Can he make it two in a row this year
“Hopefully the JD Racing team and I can capitalise on our lead and take the title. We managed to win the Phillip Island Championship in the Supersport category in 2014, so to ‘do the double’ would be amazing on our team’s behalf!” concluded Falzon
Can JD Racing’s Daniel Falzon hold everyone at bay like he did at the opening round and go on to win the Phillip Island Superbike Championship
To register your interest to ride in the support categories at the event, head to please go to www.motogp.com.au.
For more information about the Michelin Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, visit www.motogp.com.au.
Words: Russell Colvin & AGPC Press Release
Photos: Russell Colvin
Phillip Island Superbike Championship (top 10) – after round 1:
1st Daniel Falzon Yamaha 76
2nd Robbie Bugden Kawasaki 54
3rd Troy Herfoss Honda 47
4th Cru Halliday Yamaha 44
5th Wayne Maxwell Yamaha 41
6th Mitch Levy Yamaha 37
7th Bryan Staring Honda 36
8th Glenn Allerton Yamaha 35
9th Beau Beaton Ducati 34
10th Josh Waters Suzuki 32
For the first time, the Supersport 300 class will race at the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix