Team Honda blitzes ASC opener

Honda teammates Troy Herfoss and Aiden Wagner were the dominant figures at round one of the 2015 Swann Insurance Australasian Superbike Championship in Sydney on March 29.

Herfoss' 2-1 results in the two 15-lap thrillers weren't a surprise, but Wagner, the 2014 ASC supersport champion, confounded everyone – including himself – with an astonishing debut in the superbike ranks deputising for the injured Jamie Stauffer. Wagner went 1-2, with Herfoss winning the overall by 1pt on the strength of his bonus point for pole position.

"I would like to thank Team Honda Racing for the opportunity firstly because without their help and great support it would not have been possible," said Wagner. Also, thanks to Troy and Jamie for their help over the weekend.  It was such a great weekend and I love the CBR1000RR SP!  I look forward to the future."

Whether that future is with Team Honda remains to be seen, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Japanese manufacturer 'find' a bike for Wagner to saddle up at round two in Mallala (SA) on May 17 even though Stauffer will be back in action.

Wagner also set a new superbike lap around Sydney Motorsport Park – a 1:30.666 set on Saturday in the FX-Superbike series.

Meanwhile, Herfoss was thrilled at such a strong start to the ASC season.

"What an awesome weekend after a long off-season, and we proved again that the Honda CBR1000RR SP is a winning package," said Herfoss. "I am so happy to leave Sydney with both championship leads and a pole position.  Aiden was a pleasure to race with and pushed me hard all weekend.  I am excited for round two already, and we have to keep pushing forward while we are strong."

Defending champion Wayne Maxwell (Yamaha Racing Team, 4-3) and his teammate Cru Halliday (3-4) finished equal on points, followed by Glenn Allerton (6-5) on the third all-new R1M -- still clearly underdone after such a limited preparation. Then followed the first privateer, Kawasaki's Mike Jones (5-7).

In supersport, Brayden Elliot (Suzuki) was the overall winner from Troy Guenther (Kawasaki) and Mitch Levy (Yamaha), although the battles were won by Michael Blair (Yamaha, race one) and Callum Spriggs (Yamaha, races 2-3).

For full results from round one, click here.