Image: Russell Colvin.

Former champion Wayne Maxwell has topped the timesheets on day one of the official Mi-Bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) test at Phillip Island, the McMartin Racing rider making a strong public debut aboard the Ducati Panigale V4 R.

Maxwell set a 1m32.366s in the final session of the day, comfortably edging out Yamaha Racing Team newcomer Aiden Wagner, who set a 1m33.006s in the third session.

Reigning champion Mike Jones, who also rode the DesmoSport Ducati Panigale V4 R for the first time against his rivals, was a fraction behind in third, posting a time of 1m33.062s in the fourth session.

Penrite Honda Racing’s Troy Herfoss showed the Michelin tyre is on pace after setting the fourth fastest time with a 1m33.136s, followed by Cru Halliday (Yamaha Racing Team) in fifth – the 2018 Supersport champion lodging a 1m33.354s fast-time.

Kawasaki BCperformance’s Bryan Staring was sixth ahead of Daniel Falzon (Yamaha), while the top 10 was completed by Josh Waters (Suzuki), Glenn Scott (Kawasaki BCperformance) and Glenn Allerton (Maxima BMW).

In the Supersport category, Jack Hyde (Yamaha) edged out reigning champion Tom Toparis (Kawasaki) for P1, setting a time of 1m36.469s to defeat Toparis’ 1m36.964s. Oli Bayliss (Cube Racing) was third ahead of Nic Liminton (Yamaha) and Jack Passfield (Yamaha).

The Supersport 300 category saw Harry Khouri (Yamaha) edge out Luke Jhonston (Kawasaki) and Luke Power (Kawasaki) for the top spot, while the Oceania Junior Cup class was topped by Lucas Quinn (Yamaha), Marianos Nikolis (Yamaha) and Cameron Swain (Yamaha). Riders return to the track tomorrow for the final day of testing.

Detailed results