Lights, camera, action for Desmosport Ducati at SMSP

Round two of the 2026 Australian Superbike Championship will light up at Sydney Motorsport Park this weekend with the Desmosport Ducati team set to continue their strong start to the season. Anthony West, backed by Elite Roads, made a solid debut on the Ducati Panigale V4 in mixed conditions at the opening Phillip Island round one month ago and sits sixth in the points. The veteran topped free practice and qualified fourth to show his potential on Ducati machinery and with added time to adapt to the Panigale V4, West is confident of a strong showing at SMSP. Superbike rookie Luca Durning also performed well, scoring points in all races to be thirteenth coming into this round. After some challenging opening sessions provided little seat time at Phillip Island in Next Gen Supersport for Olly Simpson, the South Australian stunned on debut with the Ducati Panigale V2 and leads the standings courtesy of his two race victories. SMSP at night is synonymous for heart stopping action and with the possibility of rain, the intensity will be incredibly high. You can watch all the action live via the ASBK live stream on Saturday from 3:25pm and live on SBS and Stan Sport from 7:30pm.   

DesmoSport Ducati Team Owner, Ben Henry: "This round at Sydney Motorsport Park will be a true indicator for the Desmosport Ducati team, we've started the year well at Phillip Island and now we have to step up and show our potential. Westy has shown he has the pace and that result was solid - we've refined the Panigale V4 during testing at SMSP so I think his potential is high there. Congrats to Luca for his runner up result in the New Zealand Superbike Championship, we think he can keep moving forward. Olly was sensational on the Panigale V2 at PI considering his lack of track time and after we fix a few small issues, I know he can be even quicker. The weather can throw some curve balls at Sydney and rain is possible this weekend, but we've prepared well so this is a round I am really looking forward to." 

DesmoSport Ducati Rider, Anthony West: "Phillip Island was interesting for sure but I was really pleased with my pace at the first round...now I feel well adjusted to the bike - I just have to make sure I've got the launch control sorted for the starts! We've had a very positive test here at Sydney Motorsport Park last month, now it's up to me to bring the results."

DesmoSport Ducati Rider, Luca Durning: "I'm really looking forward to this weekend at SMSP under lights, it's a fantastic track and confidence wise I'm feeling pretty happy with myself after finishing second in the NZ Superbike Championship. Competing in the ASBK is next level and I know that's what I need. We've been pleased with the initial results on the Panigale V4 - now I just have to stay consistent and keep improving race by race."

DesmoSport Ducati Rider, Olly Simpson: "That opening round was a little bit stressful but I was really happy with the race wins, especially bringing it home in outright P1 against the Supersport guys in two races. The Panigale V2 feels awesome to ride and I know we can refine the package even further and extract more speed. I really like SMSP so I can't wait to get started on Friday!"

On-Track Schedule (AEDT)

Superbike

Friday

Free Practice 1
1:00 pm (30 mins)

Free Practice 2
2:50 pm (30 mins)

Free Practice 3
5:05 pm (30 mins)

Qualifying
8:15pm (15 mins)

Qualifying 2
8:45pm (15 mins)

Saturday

Warm up
3:00 pm (10 mins)

Race 1
5:10 pm (13 Laps)

Race 2
8:50 pm (13 Laps)

Next Gen Supersport

Friday

Free Practice 1
12:05 pm (20 mins)

Free Practice 2
1:55 pm (10 mins)

Qualifying
3:50pm (25 mins)

Qualifying 2
7:20pm (25 mins)

Saturday

Warm up
3:00 pm (10 mins)

Race 1
5:10 pm (13 Laps)

Race 2
8:50 pm (13 Laps)

2026 Australian Superbike Championship

· Round 1: Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC Feb 20-22​

· Round 2: Sydney Motorsport Park, NSW Mar 27-28​

· Round 3: The Bend Raceway, SA May 1-3​

· Round 4: Morgan Park Raceway, QLD May 29-31​

· Round 5: Queensland Raceway, QLD Jun 26-28

Watch all the action on Saturday:

SBS Sport & Stan Sport from 7:30pm

ASBK Live Stream from 3:25pm
 

Watch the Live Timing: www.computime.com.au

Image Credit: RBMotoLens