DesmoSport Ducati Primed for ASBK Opener

Bryan Staring is set to hit Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit this weekend for the first round of the Australian Superbike Championship. His first race on the DesmoSport Ducati Panigale V4 R, Bryan and the team are confident of a strong start to the eight-round season.

Team co-owner, Ben Henry: "Testing has been really good for us, with Bryan fitting in with the team quite quickly. He's adapted to the different characteristics of the Panigale V4 R well and I know he's capable of great results. It might be the home track of some of our competitors, but Bryan has a strong record at Phillip Island, he still holds the lap record there on a 600, and Bryan is a rider that rises to the occasion in competition. I can't wait to get Bryan on-track this weekend and get into a full eight round championship."

Bryan Staring: "I'm really excited to get to Phillip Island and go racing again. I feel really comfortable within the team and the Panigale V4 R is an amazing bike to ride, so I'm looking forward to getting on track and back to work. With border restrictions, I've actually been away from home since late January, so I'm really motivated to reward everyone that supports me for their faith in me with some solid points this weekend."

Team co-owner, Troy Bayliss: "It's strange not preparing to be with the team this weekend to be honest. I'm here in Italy with Oli, who's recovering well after his crash in testing, but I've been in touch with the guys and I'm happy with the position we're in. The guys are working really well together, and talking to Bryan, he's starting to feel at home on the bike and is comfortable enough to really start pushing. I might not be there on the ground, but I'll be watching the live stream and in touch with the team."

ASBK On-Track Schedule

Friday

Free Practice 1: 10:20am (30 min) Free Practice 2: 1:15pm (30 min) Free Practice 3: 3:20pm (30 min)

Saturday

Timed Practice: 10:20am (30 min) Qualifying 1: 2:20pm (15 min) Qualifying 2: 3:10pm (15 min)

Sunday

Warm Up: 9:35am (10 min) Race 1: 11:30am (12 laps) Race 2: 3:15pm (12 laps)

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

@DesmoSportDucati

Image Credit: M33 Productions / Action Images

2022 Australian Superbike Championship

• Round 1: Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC Feb 25-27
• Round 2: Queensland Raceway, QLD Mar 18-20
• Round 3: Wakefield Park Raceway, NSW Apr 22-24
• Round 4: Hidden Valley Raceway, NT Jun 17-19
• Round 5: Morgan Park Raceway, QLD Aug 5-7
• Round 6: Symmons Plains, TAS Oct 20-23
• Round 7: Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC Nov
• Round 8: The Bend Motorsports Park, SA Dec 2-4