Waters strikes from behind but Herfoss takes Championship glory

October 23, 2016

Australia’s returning hero Team Apex Motorsports’ Josh Waters secured victory over Crankt Protein Honda Racing’s Jamie Stauffer today, however Herfoss did all he needed to secure the Phillip Island Championship in front of thousands of spectators at the 2016 Michelin Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

As riders headed out for their sighting lap anticipating their race three start spectators dotted the fence around the entire perimeter of the Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit ready for the action to kick off.

Visors went down and as the red lights went out all 13 Superbike competitors twisted their throttle and launched off the main straight and in to turn one in a roar of bikes, commencing their 8 lap journey ahead.

Starting from fifth position on the grid, an almost perfect start helped Yamaha mounted Michael Blaire off the line to lead in to turn one. However, only leading the first turns Knobby Underwear Suzuki’s Brayden Elliott quickly stole the show with his pink machine, relegating Blaire.

At the end of the first lap Elliott had a 0.698-second gap on his rival Team Apex Motorsports’ Josh Waters in second. Blaire now sat in third with the Crankt Protein Honda Racing Team duo of Jamie Stauffer and Troy Herfoss just behind in fourth and fifth. By the time the second lap had concluded both Stauffer and Herfoss had snatched Blair’s position, chasing first and second.

A hard charging second placed Waters was eager to get another win under his belt and by lap three had made a move on first placed Elliott, coming past down the front straight already lengthening his gap in the following corners.

In a succession of laps Elliott was passed by both Stauffer on lap three, and Herfoss on lap four relegating the rider further, Herfoss snatching third position.

On lap five Waters lost his 0.721-second gap over Stauffer after a momentary bike failure. Stauffer making a swift move leaned the bike over in to Honda corner with ease, now in the lead. Waters, now in second, was followed by Herfoss in third, Elliott not out of the equation just yet on the rear wheel of Herfoss’ machine in fourth.

Michael Blair remained in fifth followed by Next Gen Motorsports’ Sloan Frost and DemsoSport Ducati’s pilot Cru Halliday, in his third race on the new machinery.

The battles were not done and dusted however, Waters hungry for a win pressuring Stauffer in the lead closing the gap to only mere seconds between the pair, while Herfoss saw the front wheel of Elliott in many attempts at passing.

The nail biting race went down as a spectacle as they crossed the start/finish line displaying the last lap board. Elliott had the drive down the straight but Herfoss stamping his authority redeemed himself almost instantly.

Now with only a few remaining corners before the chequered flag the pressure was on for Elliott to make a move. Taking a tight line in to Honda, that is exactly what Elliott did, pushing Herfoss wide, relegating him to fourth.

The arrival of a back marker at MG Corner saw the front race leaders Stauffer and Waters momentarily interrupted upsetting the rhythm of Stauffer on his Honda machine. Making use of the situation in the remaining corners a hard charging Waters got a perfect drive out of Turn 12 crossing the line only 0.089-second in front of the Honda mounted rider Stauffer.

Elliott cemented third place across the finish line as Herfoss too ran in to the back marker in the final stage of the race seeing him cross the line in fourth. Blair, Frost and Halliday rounded out fifth, sixth and seventh, while Next Gen Motorsports’ Ryan Hampton, Phillip Czaj and Alistair Loomes rounded out the final top ten positions.

With two from three race wins this weekend Josh cemented the round win, sharing that he is really enjoying racing again and was glad to get another win for his team.

“I got a good start in that race but the run to turn one was bad, but I managed to make my way through on the first lap,” Waters shared. “I got in to the lead on the second lap but I had the bike cut out a little bit and Jamie was right behind me, so he got by me. The last lap I was pretty lucky when we caught the lapped rider I think it messed up his rhythm and then I got a really good run on to the straight and got the win.

“It’s great to win for Apex Motorsports and Custom Plates. Hopefully we can come back racing next year. I enjoyed it, and am enjoying racing a lot now,” Waters finished.

Over the two round Phillip Island Championship Herfoss did all it took to claim victory in the Championship, being presented with another trophy for his mantle and cemented what has been a great year for the Honda Superbike rider.

For the 2016 Australian Superbike competitors that marks the end to their three day weekend at the 2016 Michelin Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. For most riders now, they will enjoy a well-deserved break before pre-season kicks off for the 2017 season.

To stay up to date with the latest news from this weekend’s Moto GP event head to www.asbk.com.au, like the ASBK Facebook page and follow @ASBK on Instagram.

More, from a press release issued by DesmoSport Ducati:

HALLIDAY COMPLETES DESMOSPORT DUCATI DEBUT AT PHILLIP ISLAND

DesmoSport Ducati stand-in rider Cru Halliday has sealed sixth overall in the Australian Superbike support category at Phillip Island’s Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

In his first appearance with the factory-supported squad owned by triple Superbike World Champion Troy Bayliss and Ben Henry, Halliday managed to finish the weekend unscathed with 6-6-7 results across the three races.

Halliday further improved his lap-speed aboard the Pirelli-shod 1299 Panigale S during this morning’s final eight-lap encounter for the event, crossing the line seventh in dry conditions.

“With another opportunity to ride the DesmoSport Ducati in the dry we moved forward again,” Halliday reflected. “We made a change with the shock for the final race and it worked, but the front wasn’t where I needed it just yet – the rain really affected our chance to set the bike for me earlier in the weekend.

“Still, the team did a great job with such a small amount of time for me on the 1299 Panigale S and we improved every time I went out. I dropped my laptime by seven-tenths today and that was on the last lap, so we were heading in the right direction and I really appreciate the opportunity to fill in for Mike this weekend.”

DesmoSport Ducati regular Mike Jones completed his second-career MotoGP World Championship weekend with the Avintia Racing Ducati team, finishing the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix inside the points with an impressive 15th position.

More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing Team:

Herfoss and Stauffer wrap up the 2016 MotoGP on the Superbike podium

The Crankt Protein Honda Racing Team have wrapped up yet another successful outing at the 2016 MotoGP at Phillip Island over the weekend, with both Jamie Stauffer and newly crowned ASBK Champion Troy Herfoss each taking positions on the podium, and collecting yet another championship throughout the event.

The Australian Superbikes entertained thousands of spectators as the support class over the course of the annual Australian MotoGP, and despite all riders being forced to deal with Phillip Island’s notorious weather conditions, the Honda CBR1000RRSP machines rose to the occasion.

After a difficult season, Superbike veteran Stauffer was determined to finish the 2016 race season on a high, and crowds were treated to the impressive form that the Honda rider is known for at Phillip Island – showcasing his maturity and experience over three action packed days.

On Friday, Stauffer showed early speed recording the fourth fastest time in practice, and despite qualifying in sixth position in treacherous conditions, when race one kicked off, Stauffer was determined to finish with a podium – eventually crossing the line in third place. With the second race for the Superbikes cancelled due to the wet weather, on Saturday Stauffer claimed his first race win of the year, while on Sunday the Honda CBR1000RRSP rider secured second, rewarding the team with second overall for the weekend.

“I’m pretty wrapped with our weekend down at the Island – I have raced this circuit a lot throughout my career, and it’s always special riding alongside an event as big as the MotoGP,” Stauffer shared.

“On Friday the track was obviously difficult because of the weather but we did the best we could, and to finish with a podium in all three of our races is a great way to finish off the year.

“I can’t thank the team enough for their support and encouragement throughout the weekend. It was so nice to finally be able to reward them for all their hard work this year with a few podiums, and what place better to do it than at the MotoGP.”

Recently crowned 2016 Australian Superbike Champion Herfoss, also showcased his skill and consistency on the world stage over the weekend, concluding the Australian MotoGP with not only 2nd, 3rd and 4th place finishes in the support class races and third place on the Superbike podium, but his second title for the year, after his consistency saw him awarded the 2016 Australian Phillip Island Superbike Championship.

“Wow, what a crazy weekend! As most race fans and riders know, you never know what you’re going to get weather wise at Phillip Island, and true to tradition we were certainly dealt with every element at the MotoGP this weekend,” Herfoss shared.

“The boys had a great pace this weekend, and both Josh Waters and Jamie were tough competition. We had some tight battles between us, and I hope the fans enjoyed the Australian Superbike races as much as we enjoyed being out there.

“To stand on the MotoGP podium this weekend, and to walk away with the 2016 Australian Phillip Island Superbike Championship was a nice way to cap off a great year with the team. I’m excited for 2017, and proud of everything we have achieved together throughout this season.”

The Crankt Protein Honda Racing Team would like to thank all of their dedicated supporters and sponsors for their commitment to the team’s running of the 2016 Australian MotoGP at Phillip Island.

To keep up to date with all of Crankt Protein Honda Racing Team news, results, and features, like the ‘Team Honda Racing’ Facebook page, follow @teamhondaracing on Instagram, or head to www.teamhondaracing.com.au.