Wayne Maxwell (Team Suzuki Ecstar Australia) and Aiden Wagner (Yamaha) have secured victories in races one and two respectively at Phillip Island’s opening round of the 2019 Motul Pirelli Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK).

Race one saw Maxwell emerge victorious in an absolute thriller, as just one second separated the first five riders across the line.

Yamaha privateer Wagner put in an incredible effort on return to the ASBK leading majority of the race, falling short of victory by just 0.147s, as Western Australian Bryan Staring (Kawasaki BCperformance) came from behind to close out the top three, 0.320s off the leader.

Supersport champion Cru Halliday (Yamaha Racing Team) was an impressive fourth behind Staring, as it was Josh Waters (Team Suzuki Ecstar Australia) who completed the first five.

Daniel Falzon (Yamaha Racing Team) was sixth followed by Glenn Allerton (Maxima BMW), Mike Jones (Kawasaki), reigning champion Troy Herfoss (Penrite Honda Racing) and Matt Walters (Kawasaki). Three-time Superbike world champion Troy Bayliss (DesmoSport Ducati) crashed out of the race five laps in after tagging Maxwell on turn one, sustaining a suspected injured hand.

In another thrilling encounter, Wagner pulled through for victory in race two after a controversial clash at the final turn with Maxwell. After the duo battled it out front, with Waters and Halliday in tow, Wagner made a hard move on the last corner after negotiating lapped traffic in laps leading into the finish, resulting in a heavy fall for Maxwell.

Halliday capitalised to finish runner-up ahead of Waters, as the top five was completed by Staring and Jones. Sixth through to 10th consisted of Herfoss, Allerton, Walters, Glenn Scott (GSR Kawasaki) and Max Croker (Mladin Racing). Bayliss didn’t start the race, as race one contender Falzon crashed out on lap four. Racing resumes tomorrow for the final event of the weekend.

Detailed results