New ASBK era kicks off at Phillip Island
The Australian Superbike Championship has moved to a summer calendar and is set to kick off at Phillip Island alongside MotoGPThe 2027 Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) will begin at Phillip Island this weekend, with 31 riders set to contest the opening round alongside the 2026 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.
The October 23-25 event marks the start of a new chapter for the national series, which is moving to a summer-based calendar for the first time since its inception in 1989.
The championship will now run through to March 2027, with subsequent rounds at The Bend, One Raceway and Queensland Raceway before returning to Phillip Island for the penultimate round and concluding at Sydney Motorsport Park.
Phillip Island will also host official ASBK championship points at the MotoGP event for only the second time in the series' history.
Defending champion Harrison Voight will lead the field aboard his McMartin Racing Ducati as he attempts to become the seventh rider to win consecutive ASBK titles.
The 2026 champion has a strong record at Phillip Island, winning two of three races at the circuit's ASBK opener in February. He will face a competitive field featuring established title contenders, emerging Australian talent and international riders.
Honda's Jacob Roulstone, who claimed the other race victory at the February meeting, will be among Voight's leading challengers, alongside Yamaha riders Cameron Dunker and Jonathan Nahlous.
Other expected contenders include six-time Superbike champion Josh Waters, who has moved to DesmoSport Ducati after five seasons with McMartin Racing, reigning championship third-place finisher Cru Halliday, Glenn Allerton and Mike Jones.
Waters will campaign the latest Ducati Panigale V4 R as he pursues another Superbike title, while several other riders will begin the season with new teams.
John Lytras has joined Addicted to Track Yamaha, Jack Favelle will ride for Apex Racing Team Honda and Marcus Hamod has moved to Unitek Racing Yamaha. Broc Pearson will also return to the championship with TeamBWR Honda after missing the 2026 season.
The field includes a mix of experienced competitors and younger riders looking to establish themselves nationally. Eighteen-year-old Jayden Martin will step up from Western Australian competition, while New Zealanders Luca Durning, Richard Markham-Barrett and Morgan McLaren-Wood, along with Japan's Kota Higuchi, add an international presence.
ASBK practice and qualifying will take place on Friday, with two 11-lap races scheduled for Saturday at 12:10pm and 4:10pm, followed by a third race at 9am on Sunday.
All three races will be broadcast live on Fox Sports and Kayo, with a highlights program scheduled for SBS Sport on November 8.
The opening round is also part of the Australian Grand Prix's fan program, with ASBK riders appearing at autograph sessions throughout the weekend. Defending champion Voight, Roulstone, Nahlous and Waters are scheduled to attend a session at the Shannons SuperRig on Saturday afternoon.
Following Phillip Island, the championship heads to The Bend on November 13-15, One Raceway on December 4-6 and Queensland Raceway on January 15-17. Phillip Island will host the fifth round on February 19-21, before the season concludes at Sydney Motorsport Park on March 19-20, 2027.
To purchase tickets for round one of the 2027 Shannons Australian Superbike Championship presented by Pirelli, click here.
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