DesmoSport Ducati & Pearson Set for Season Opener

With pre-season testing over and the 2023 livery on the Panigale V4 R revealed, DesmoSport Ducati, along with 2022 Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) Rookie of the Year Broc Pearson, are set to launch into the 2023 season this weekend at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit alongside the WorldSBK season opener.

Team co-owner, Ben Henry: "I'm excited to get the season underway. While Broc definitely has some learning ahead of him through the season, he's been riding the bike well in testing as we keep developing the bike and fine-tuning settings. It hasn't been completely smooth through our pre-season testing as some members of the team learnt some new roles, but we've been working really well together as a team and I'm confident we can do a good job."

Team co-owner, Troy Bayliss: "Myself and Kim came down and watched the two day test from a different angle, I enjoyed the other side of the fence and Oli is settling in nice the D34G squad, he looks at ease with the team and I’m confident they will stay well together, we bump in with Desmosport today and I’m keen to be with our crew and get behind Broc."

Broc Pearson: "I'm really looking forward to getting to the track. It hasn't been that long since I raced for DesmoSport at The Bend last December, but it feels like a long time ago. The team is different, the bike definitely looks different, and the focus is completely on me. I feel like we've made some progress on the bike, and I'm learning more every time I ride the bike. I found myself riding alone a lot in testing, so it will be good to get in amongst the field and see where we stand."

On-Track Schedule

Friday

Free Practice 1: 9:45am (30 min) 

Free Practice 2: 2:05pm (30 min)

Saturday

Qualifying: 8:50am (30 min)

Race 1: 11:40am (12 laps)

Sunday

Race 2: 9:40am (12 laps) 

Race 3: 1:40pm (12 laps)

Image Credit: M33 Productions

Follow the on-track action across the weekend via LIVE Timing at www.Computime.com.au Watch all the race action on Sunday from 1pm on SBS

Make sure you follow the team's social media to stay up to date:

@DesmoSportDucati

2023 Australian Superbike Championship

• Round 1: Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC Feb 24-26
• Round 2: Sydney Motorsport Park, NSW Mar 24-25
• Round 3: Queensland Raceway, QLD Apr 28-30
• Round 4: Hidden Valley Raceway, NT Jun 16-18
• Round 5: Morgan Park Raceway, QLD Jul 14-16
• MotoGP: Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC Oct 20-22 (non-championship)
• Round 6: Phillip Island GP Circuit, VIC Oct 27-29
• Round 7: The Bend Motorsports Park, SA Dec 1-3