Crankt Protein Honda Racing Team’s Herfoss crowned 2016 Superbike Champion

Crankt Protein Honda Racing Team’s Troy Herfoss has been crowned the 2016 Australian Superbike Championship at Winton Motor Raceway, after two action packed and drama filled races at the season decider yesterday.

After wrapping up the ASC Superbike Championship in 2015, Herfoss added yet another achievement to his growing resume, taking a second place and a race win which eventually awarded him with the 2016 Superbike title.

Herfoss who has now won three rounds this year, and snatched up three Pirelli Superpole victories throughout the season, celebrated with the team after crossing the finish line in the final race, and shared his thoughts moments after stepping off the 2016 Superbike podium.

“It’s so hard to explain my emotions at the moment, I know I wanted to win the championship, and I could have finished last in race two and still won the title, but the feeling of winning races makes this victory so much better, and I really wanted to stamp my authority on the Championship, and show that I deserve it,” he shared.

“I managed to take out the round and the championship which is exactly what we were here for this weekend.

“It’s been such an amazing turn of events this round, and it’s hard to explain the pressure that comes with winning a championship, so to have wrapped up today with the title is very special.

“I am just really proud to win this championship for Honda especially with this bike. To get another Championship for them is really a proud moment for me. Thanks to the whole Crankt Protein Honda Team.”

After qualifying in fourth position on Saturday, Herfoss’s teammate Jamie Stauffer also raced to impressive results on Sunday throughout the two Superbike races. Stauffer took fifth in race one and sixth in race two, to finish in sixth for the round, and in eighth overall in the Superbike Championship after a full year of battling injuries.

“Today wasn’t a bad day for me, and for the team it really was a bit of a fairy tale with Troy wrapping up the championship,” Stuaffer shared.

“It’s been a bit of a hard year personally with injuries, but in the past two rounds I have started to feel like myself again, and we managed to get some better results which is a nice way to finish the year.

“I can’t thank the Crankt Protein Honda Racing Team enough for their support throughout the season. We have had plenty of highs and lows together and it’s been a pleasure being a part of such a dedicated team of people.”

Crankt Protein Honda Racing Team Manager Paul Free congratulated Herfoss on his 2016 Superbike Championship victory, and also thanked the people involved in making this year’s racing season such a great success.

“What a day! It’s hard to put in to words how rewarding this championship is for not only Troy, but the entire team of people behind the scenes who have worked tirelessly to get to this point,” Free shared.

“We experienced a real low point after Eastern Creek this year and we put the pressure on Pirelli to find us something that we knew would allow us to win races. Thanks to the team at Link International and Pirelli, they came through with a tyre that turned our season around. Without them, we simply may not have been here.

“Many people have made mention of the age of the CBR1000RRSP that we’re working with, but by winning the championship with Troy today, we have really shown that the Honda remains competitive even after all these years.

“I would like to personally congratulate Troy on his 2016 Championship and of course Jamie as well for fighting all year long despite carrying a number of injuries.

“And I would also like to thank all of our dedicated sponsors who made this Superbike Championship and racing this year such a great success. Without them, our achievements simply wouldn’t have been possible.”

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 Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli.

For more information on the ASBK Championship head to www.asbk.com.au.

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.

More, from a press release issued by Demso Sport Ducati:

DESMOSPORT DUCATI AND JONES FIFTH IN 2016 ASBK STANDINGS

DesmoSport Ducati’s Mike Jones has finished fifth in the 2016 Australian Superbike Championship following Winton Motor Raceway’s final round of the season in Victoria over the weekend.

Jones slotted his 1299 Panigale S into third position on the grid during the Pirelli Superpole qualifying session to secure a front row start, once again showcasing the speed of Jones aboard his DesmoSport Ducati.

Sunday’s pair of 17-lap races proved more challenging for Jones however, finishing seventh in the opening encounter and then ninth in race two following an off-track excursion on lap three that bumped him to the back of the field.

“We’ve had some ups and downs here at Winton’s final round,” Jones reflected. “The high point was qualifying on the front row of the grid in the Pirelli Superpole, where I managed to go in third position.

“I had some issues during the races and couldn’t quite convert that pace into a podium result, but overall it’s been a very good year for gaining experience. When everything is on track, we’ve definitely been quick, it’s just a matter of achieving that consistently.

“That’s the tricky part at this point, but I think if we keep working at it and if we’re able to have another crack at it in 2017, we’ll be able to get that consistency and be fast for the whole year.”

Last year’s ASBK champion Jones was able to race to three overall podiums across the six-round season, including his record-breaking Superpole and opening race win at Barbagallo Raceway’s fourth round aboard the DesmoSport Ducati 1299 Panigale S.

The DesmoSport Ducati team, co-owned by title-winning team manager Ben Henry and three-time Superbike World Champion Troy Bayliss, also entertained a selection of lucky fans at the final round with its two-up experience program on board with Bayliss.