DesmoSport Ducati returns to 'The Island'

Desmosport Ducati and the Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) return to the nation's spiritual home of motorcycle racing, Phillip Island this weekend (September 6-7) where Broc Pearson will be aiming for more podium success over a condensed two-day format. After a positive build-up to this round that included testing at both One Raceway and Sydney Motorsport Park, both Pearson and the team are feeling well prepared but aware of the need to be quick right from the outset. This round will be crucial in the fight for championship points and the weather could play a role with rain predicted. Kiwi Luca Durning is also keen for his return to Phillip Island and will once again be racing in the Next Gen SuperSport class aboard the DesmoSport Ducati-prepared Panigale V2.

Team Owner, Ben Henry: "The team is in a really good place going into this weekend, we’ve had a relaxed but productive build-up without any distractions. Broc is as fit as I’ve seen him and we’ve been able to incorporate a few test sessions on the bike, although rain at One Raceway did change some of our plans. We’re getting much closer with the MoTeC ECU with every race weekend, our starts have improved dramatically and we’re heading to a track where we know we have good race pace. This round is also a little bit different because it is held over two days instead of the usual three, so to get top results it will be crucial to be fast right from the opening session. Luca Durning will be with us again on the Panigale V2 this weekend, it was great to see more interest in the Next Gen Supersport class last round at QR and we're all enjoying developing that bike."

Broc Pearson: "I can't wait to start racing this weekend, as Ben says we have had a positive build up to this round as a team and I'm excited to get started. I feel like our efforts in development are ready to pay off; throughout the year our pace has been better than our result and the aim this round is to be consistently on the box, battling with the front guys. I'm feeling confident with the two-day format because the MoTeC ECU package always feels fast from the first session, plus it gives a good feeling in the wet which could be handy this weekend. We didn't get to spin too many laps in testing at One Raceway because it was wet, then we had a few sessions at SMSP the following day; but it was enough track time to leave me feeling sharp and well prepared."

On-Track Superbike Schedule (AEST)

Saturday

Free Practice 1 9:50am (25 mins) Free Practice 2 11:25am (25 mins) Free Practice 3

2:10pm (25 mins) Qualifying 1 3:05pm (20 mins) Qualifying 2 (top 12) 3:35pm (15 mins)

Sunday

Warm-up 9:25am (10 mins) Race 1 11:00am (11 laps) Race 2 2:45pm (11 laps)

Watch all the action:

ASBK Livestream from 9:50am Sunday

Live TV on SBS and STAN SPORTS from 1:00pm Watch the Live Timing: www.computime.com.au 

Image Credit: RBMotoLens

2025 Australian Superbike Championship

• Round 1: Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC Feb 21-23
• Round 2: Sydney Motorsport Park, NSW Mar 28-29
• Round 3: Queensland Raceway, QLD May 2-4
• Round 4: Morgan Park Raceway, QLD Jun 13-15
• Round 5: Queensland Raceway, QLD Aug 8-10
• Round 6: Phillip Island GP Circuit, VIC Sept 6-7
• Round 7: One Raceway, NSW Oct 3-5
• Round 8: The Bend Raceway, SA Nov 7-9

Broc Pearson #11 Championship Standing: 6th

Round 1: Phillip Island 5-4-DNF, 7th Overall