ASBK season launch at SMSP

By Noel Rowsell

The mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship, presented by Motul, (ASBK) Official Test event was run at Sydney Motorsport Park (SMSP) on the 1st -2nd February, featuring Alpinestars Superbike, Michelin Supersport, Supersport 300 and the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup.

The test uncovered some new gems, reaffirmed the talent of others and set the stage perfectly for the 2023 season of racing. The two days of testing confirmed Josh Waters is going to be a major contender in 2023 and not just at SMSP. he’s a multi-time champion, with the fastest bike in the paddock, and is backed by a team that has multiple championship wins.

The bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup had been the first on track on both days; the first to do their track walk with coach Garry McCoy and the first onto the track proper aboard their Yamaha R15s.

In 2023, the OJC has a combination of new and returning riders, so the early sessions at a track which many have never turned a lap at was simply familiarisation and ensuring they stayed rubber side down for the whole session.

It was newcomer Riley Nauta who showed out in the early session, with a P1 in session one and P3 in session two in a fine debut, whilst Rikki henry stole the overall riding honours from the two days.

Alpinestars Superbike Top 5Combined times: 21 Josh Waters (VIC), 65 Cru Halliday (NSW), 1 Mike Jones (QLD), 17 Troy herfoss (QLD), 4 Broc Pearson (QLD).

Michelin Supersport Top 5 – Combined times: 29 harrison

Voight (QLD), 26 Sean Condon (NSW), 1 John Lytras (QLD), 49 Jake Farnsworth (NSW), 44 Tom BRAMICh (VIC).

Supersport 300 Top 5 - Combined times: 13 Marcus Hamod (NSW), 11 Brandon Demmery (NSW), 26 Cameron Swain (QLD), 51 Sam Pezzeta (SA), 25 Brodie Gawith (VIC) bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup Top 5 - Combined times: 36 Rikki henry (SA), 74 Bodie Paige (QLD), 40 hunter Corney (QLD), 42 Riley Nauta (QLD), 7 Sam Drane (NSW).