Image: Russell Colvin.

Yamaha Racing Team’s Cru Halliday has indicated the squad will sample the 2020 YZF-R1M in ASBK trim this month at Wakefield Park, the New South Welshman hopeful of piloting the updated Superbike at Phillip Island’s season-opener.

The 2018 Supersport champion was onboard the 2019 model at last week’s test at the Island, where he wound up fifth and eighth on the timesheets during both days of testing.

Halliday revealed a lack of race-spec parts was the reason the team wasn’t equipped with the 2020 model, however they’re anticipated arrive for the outfit’s private test in the middle of the month.

“We’re going to test this month at Wakefield Park, and that will be on the 2020,” Halliday revealed to CycleOnline.com.au. “I haven’t ridden it in race form yet because they’ve sort of been delayed on parts – they’re waiting for them to come from Europe. I’ve ridden it in stock form and it felt pretty good.

“I’m guessing if all goes to plan, we might be on the new bikes [for Phillip Island]. If they’ve got time to build them and have everything ready, then I don’t see why not. We just have to see how this test goes and see if we have them running smoothly – I don’t see why wouldn’t be on them for round one.”

Phillip Island’s opening round of the 2020 Mi-Bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship is scheduled for 27 February-1 March, taking place alongside round one of the Motul FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK).

Teenage talent Oli Bayliss will make his international debut as a wildcard in Phillip Island’s opening round of the 2020 World Supersport Championship (WorldSSP).

Bayliss will pull double-duty in round one of the Australian championship and WorldSSP with Cube Racing, following in the footsteps of triple world champion father, Troy Bayliss.

“I’m really excited and grateful to have this opportunity to race at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in the World Supersport Championship for the first round as a wildcard rider,” 16-year-old Bayliss commented.

“It’s going to be really tough with how fast them guys have been going over the years and it’s going to be a great opportunity to ride with some of the fastest guys in the world to see how I can place amongst them.

“I will be doing double duties, so it’s going to be a big weekend and a bit of a challenge – I’m going to be training very hard coming up to that round to stay fit.

“When dad was racing with World Superbikes, I grew up around a lot of the mechanics who are still around in the paddock now. They might help me a little bit, but the main thing is going out there and giving it my all.

“The difference between my ASBK bike and World Supersport bike is around 10 to 15 horsepower. It’s not much, but enough to go a second or two a lap quicker.”

Bayliss will also be on track during the final official pre-season test on 24-25 February, just days before the Motul Superbike World Championship, Yamaha Finance round, at Phillip Island between 28 February and 1 March.

Image: Russell Colvin.

Aiden Wagner suffered an injury setback in the third session of Phillip Island’s Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) test on Thursday, the Yamaha Racing Team newcomer undergoing surgery today.

The number 28 indicated a small crash resulted in a fracture to the base of his left thumb, prompting him to undergo an immediate operation in an effort to be back on the bike for testing ahead round one next month.

Wagner was the fastest Yamaha rider in his first outing on the YRT-prepared YZF-R1, winding up fifth on the timesheets at the Victorian seaside circuit.

“Unfortunately I had a small crash on the second last session which ended up with a trapezium fracture [on the] base of my left thumb,” said Wagner. ‘Flying home now for a quick surgery tomorrow morning.

“I’ll be back for more testing in a couple of weeks and all good for round one. Thanks to the team for supporting me all the way – although we ended up fifth overall, we still managed to be the fastest Yamaha.”

The opening round of the 2020 Mi-Bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship is scheduled for February 27-1 March at Phillip Island, taking place alongside round one of the Motul FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK).