Red flags, rain, personal best lap times and a podium sums up DesmoSport Ducati’s round two of the 2024 Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) at Sydney Motorsports Park over the weekend with Broc Pearson taking his first race and round podiums, while Troy Herfoss was relegated to the sidelines for both races.

Broc Pearson #11

Qualified: 6th (1:29.494)
Fastest Lap: 1:29.494
Results: 6-2, 3rd Overall

Championship Standing: 4th

Ben Henry: “I’m really proud of Broc. He continues to rise to the challenge, and I think he’s enjoying the revamped team dynamic in 2024 as much as I am. Both Broc and Troy were fast when we got to qualifying and although Troy ultimately qualified third, he was less than a tenth off the pole time, and Broc was only around four tents off that. He got some great starts, but both races were red flagged and restarted, so we never got to see the potential there, especially in race one. It was unfortunate that Troy’s crash in warm-up caused him to have to sit out of race one. The team did everything possible, but it was apparent to Troy on the out lap that there was an electronic issue with the throttle that wasn’t repairable on the grid. As for his crash in race two, that’s racing. He was in the lead, in the wet and hit a bump and that was the end of that. Thankfully he’s fine, as is the bike.”

Broc Pearson: “Not gonna lie, that felt pretty good! My pace in qualifying was good with a 1:29.4, the fastest I’ve ever been around here, and I was in the top three off the start in race one, but it was red flagged and I just never quite clicked properly and basically salvaged sixth. For the night race, we started on slicks, I committed and had good track position, but the rain got heavier and the red flag came out again. Troy and I got out front after the restart which was a great feeling, and great for the team, but Troy had a crash, and managed to race to second, my first ASBK Superbike podium and third overall.”

Troy Herfoss: “You know what, Saturday night definitely didn’t go as I expected, but I walk away from the weekend satisfied with what we achieved as a team. We both set PB’s in the 1:29’s and Broc cemented himself as a championship contender. My crash in the warm-up caused an issue with the bike that wasn’t visible in the box and I couldn’t start race one, and in race two I was feeling comfortable in the lead, my first time riding this bike in the wet, hit a bump mid-shift and before I knew it, I was on the ground. I can honestly say its the first time I’ve left a superbike race with no points and still felt like we’d had a successful weekend and achieved a lot, so thank you to Broc, Charlie, Ben, Giulia, Ken, Ian and Dave for that.”

Round three of the ASBK is set for April 26 to 28 at Queensland Raceway, with DesmoSport Ducati set to test at the circuit near Ipswich on April 1 & 2.

Broc Pearson #11
Championship Standing: 4th

Round 1: Phillip Island
6-6-8, 6th Overall

Round 2: SMSP
6-2, 2nd Overall

Troy Herfoss #1
Championship Standing: 10th

Round 1: Phillip Island
3-2-3, 3rd Overall

Round 2: SMSP
N/C