The opening races of the Superbike World Championship will take place at the Australian track of Phillip Island over the weekend of 21 – 23 February 2014. The Phillip Island circuit was constructed in the 1920’s when, close to where today’s track is located, the first car races were held on unsurfaced roads. The first motorcycle race was held in 1931 and in 1985 the track was modernised to be able to host GP and Superbike world championship races.
After the positive results obtained during testing on Monday and Tuesday, tests that saw rider Niccolò Canepa head the group of Evo riders, team Althea Racing is extremely pleased with the work carried out and is ready to start the 2014 championship in the best possible way.
Circuit data:
Length: 4.445 km
Pole Position: left
Straight: 835 mt
Left-hand turns: 7
Right-hand turns: 5
Superbike – lap record: 1,31,168 – Eugene Laverty – 2013
Superbike – best lap: 1,30,239 – Carlos Checa – 2013
Niccolò Canepa: “I really like this circuit. I have already raced here with MotoGP and with Superbike and I can’t wait to race the Evo version of the 1199 Panigale R now. I’m pleased with how testing went and I immediately found good feeling with both my bike and my team. The Evo is a completely new category and so I don’t yet know enough about my competition to be able to make any predictions. But I can say that my team and I will be giving our all over this first race weekend to be able to make the best possible start to the new season.”