While it was a slower start for riders to enter the circuit with Free Practice 1 totalling four hours of open track time for the 27-rider field, it was Stefano Manzi [Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing] who set the first blistering lap time of a 1:32.635 approximately two-hours into the session.
The teams are here and the atmosphere is building in the lead up to the Grand Ridge Brewery Australian Round taking place on the 23 – 25th February at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit; But first, the Official Test must take place.
It’s not just the WorldSBK and WorldSSP classes that will fire off their 2024 season at Phillip Island for the Grand Ridge Brewery Australian Round, with the ASBK – Australian Superbike Championship kickstarting their 35th Anniversary at the Grand Ridge Brewery Australian Round.
For the third in his career, Tom Toparis will line up on the FIM World Supersport Championship grid at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, racing as a wildcard rider at next weekend’s Grand Ridge Brewery Australian Round.
One of the key stories emerging from pre-season testing has been none other than Nicolo Bulega of Aruba.it Racing – Ducati. Despite his rookie status, the 2023 World Supersport Champion has shown some serious pace amongst the field, finishing both days of testing at Jerez, and the opening day of testing at Portimao.
The Grand Ridge Brewery Australian Round is just days away, firing off three action packed days at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit from the 23rd to 25th February 2024! Between World Superbikes, World Supersport, and the ASBK National Support categories of Australian Superbike, Supersport and Supersport 300, spectators are in for an action packed time with 14 races getting underway across the three days.
With the Grand Ridge Brewery Australian Round inching closer, spectators are in for a real treat as the first to see the new look WorldSBK grid line up, with Team HRC the latest to unveil their 2024 team livery. Team HRC are one of few teams that are unchanged in terms of rider line-up, featuring Xavi Vierge and Iker Lecuona on the CBR1000RR-R machines.
While KRT are already tackling big rider moves this season, their change of livery is yet another bold move from the factory team, that will this year host Alex Lowes, who will enter into his fifth season with the team, and their new recruit Axel Bassani.
With so many talking points heading into the Grand Ridge Brewery Australian Round, it is hard to know where to begin when discussing the major changes you need to earmark. From major team shake ups and rookies showing some serious pace, new rules, a new look event schedule, a freshly resurfaced Phillip Island Circuit, and a brand new paddock show set up; this will be the biggest year yet!
The GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team, the home of sole Australian represented rider in WorldSBK Remy Gardner, were the latest team to take the covers off in an iconic launch held at Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli”.
