Image: Foremost Media.

Reigning champion Troy Herfoss believes his late wave of momentum in the 2019 Motul Pirelli Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) will be an advantage to clinching successive titles this weekend at Sydney Motorsport Park.

The Penrite Honda Racing challenger holds a slender three-point advantage over Wayne Maxwell (Team Suzuki Ecstar), while Mike Jones (DesmoSport Ducati) is a further 1.5 points behind.

Herfoss has surged into form through the later stages of the series, picking up a round victory and the championship lead at Phillip Island’s penultimate stop earlier this month.

“I’ve been involved in title fights for a few years so I know what to expect, but the pressure will certainly be on this weekend,” Herfoss explained. “The good thing is we’ve been gaining momentum over the last few races.

“The Phillip Island round was above our expectations based on our previous results there – to come away with the championship lead was a surprise, but the way we got the bike working was very positive.

“Wayne and I have been big rivals since my first season at Honda – he’s the guy who’s always been up the front, so it was very satisfying to get one over him at a track where he’s always gone well.

“If it comes down to the last lap of the last race and I need to pass someone to win the championship, you’ll bet I’ll be having a crack.”

Just 25 points separate the top five, with Cru Halliday (Yamaha Racing Team) and Josh Waters (Team Suzuki Ecstar) taking up positions four and five.