ASBK FLASHBACK By ASBK Trackside Commentator Mark Bracks
WHO CAN CATCH THE “WAYNE TRAIN”?
CONTENDERS TO THE CROWN
There shouldn’t be too much taken out of the official ASBK pre-season test at Phillip Island, but it seems that Wayne Maxwell is in “full steam ahead” mode as he continues on from where he left last year. Maxwell took the 2021 title with a pole position, two wins and a new lap record to secure his third ASBK title. At the test he was very smooth and fast and appeared to be riding well within himself, to be just one-tenth of a second off his all-time best lap of the circuit he set two years ago Maxwell is in the form of his career in his quest for a hat-trick of Aussie titles and become the first rider of the modern era to claim four ASBK titles.
There are a number of contenders that could wrestle the crown from Maxwell, but they will have to be on their game at every round.
With two titles on the trot, Maxwell has to be a firm favourite. Adding to the favouritism for the title is the Boost Mobile with K-tech Team as the sole leading contender that has retained the same personnel. A massive bonus.
Penrite Honda has to be the favourite. In recent years, Troy Herfoss has been the major threat to Maxwell with the pair engaged in some titanic duels that will be long remembered.
Fans are so fortunate that he reversed his decision to retire at the end of last year, to give it another crack. You are a long time retired, and after the rocky road of the past two years, Maxwell and his team are keen to dominate over the entire season.
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That’s not to say that Maxwell will have a perfect run. With the level of competition intensifying each year, one mistake can break a season and every rider and team has to be on their game with minimal mistakes and hopefully zero mechanical gremlins. Mike Jones found this out the hard way in the first race of his title defence in 2020 when his Ducati suffered a mechanical issue on the grid - thwarting his championship chances before they really began.
There’s no doubt that Troy has the commitment and passion to rekindle the form that has seen him claim two ASBK titles, and runner up twice in the past three years. The big question is how long it will take him to return to full fitness after the severe leg, hip and arm injuries he suffered at the V8 Supercars round at Hidden Valley (NT) in June last year.
