Local riders set to sizzle at Phillip Island

The 2010 Yamaha Phillip Island round of the Superbike World Championship on February 26-28 is set to showcase the cream of international and local talent in a jam-packed three-day program.

In addition to the two world championship classes - superbike and supersport - the magnificent 4.45km grand prix circuit will also host round one of four Australian titles (superbike, superstock 1000, supersport and superstock 600) and the popular historic bikes of yesteryear.

In all, there will be 13 races at Phillip Island over the three days, starting with events for superstock 600 and historic competitors on Friday afternoon.

But it's the Australian superbike title where all the intrigue will be in 2010, with new teams from Euro heavyweights Aprilia, Ducati and KTM to take on the only remaining factory-backed Japanese outfit - Suzuki.

Josh Waters (Suzuki) will begin his superbike defence at Phillip Island against a cast of stars including his own team-mate Shawn Giles, Jamie Stauffer (Ducati), Wayne Maxwell (Honda), Glenn Allerton (Honda), Bryan Staring (Honda), Daniel Stauffer (Aprilia) and Shannon Johnson (KTM). All riders will be on the same Dunlop control rubber, much like the world superbike partnership with Pirelli.

Jamie Stauffer's entry is certainly creating plenty of interest, with the former two-time champion keen to replicate Ducati's dominance of world superbike racing at a local level, as well as slaying his own demons after a barren 2009.

Aprilia, via Max Biaggi, was certainly a potent force in world superbike last year, which will be a source of encouragement for Dan Stauffer, while KTM certainly proved its bona-fides with a thumping victory in last year's hotly contested German superbike title.

KTM has air-freighted two bikes straight for Europe for its assault on the Aussie title, and Johnson hit the ground running with some sizzling times in an open practice session at Phillip Island last week, as did most of his contemporaries.

Waters and Allerton won last year's corresponding races at Phillip Island, with the former eventually claiming the title, his first in the superbike class.

Two races have been set aside for the superbike and supersport riders during the world superbike round, and three apiece for superstock 600 and historics - the class pioneered by the likes of Wayne Gardner and larrikin New Zealander Graeme Crosby in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Click the following link for more information on the Viking Group Australian Superbike Championship.

Tickets are now on sale for the 2010 Yamaha Phillip Island round of the Superbike World Championship. For more information, contact the toll free hotline, tel 1300 728 007.

A three-day pass advance three-day day pass costs $130*, and includes the bonus Super Friday activities: free access to the paddock on Friday morning (until 1.00pm) and the chance to meet the world's best riders at an open meet and greet. Camping at the circuit is also available, so pack your tent, jump on your bike and head south to the island.  

If race day Sunday is for you, a one day ticket is just $70*, with family deals and concessions also available.

*general admission ticket purchased in advance, plus handling charge.