Ten Kate Racing looking to end record-breaking season on a high in Australia

This weekend marks the final race weekend of 2022 at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in Australia. It is the twelfth round of the World Supersport championship in which Ten Kate Racing has dominated with Dominique Aegerter. The Swiss rider became world champion for the second time in a row last weekend and the Nieuwleusen-based team has also once again clinched the team championship.

After Aegerter’s 16 wins and 18 podium finishes in 22 races so far, his hunger is not yet satisfied and together with Ten Kate Racing, the Swiss rider will do everything in his power to end the highly successful partnership on a good note. Leonardo Taccini returned to the team last week in Indonesia after his wrist injury sustained in Portimão and it became clear that he is not yet fully recovered. Despite the physical discomfort, the Italian will also do everything possible to finish the season as well as possible this weekend.

It is the first time since 2020 that the WorldSBK championship will race at Phillip Island again, the Australian circuit is the venue where the new season will open in February 2023.

Dominique Aegerter: “It is my last round in World Supersport with Ten Kate Racing. It is a great feeling to go to Phillip Island as a world champion again, we had a very successful weekend in Mandalika where I clinched the world title on Saturday and took the win on Sunday.

I know this track from my time in the Grand Prix paddock, it is fantastic. I hope the weather will be a bit more stable than it currently is with rain and low temperatures. It will be the first time for me with the World Supersport bike and Pirelli tyres, but my goal and preparation will be the same as it has been all season. On Friday we will focus on the race setup and then on Saturday we try to qualify on the front row. Then hopefully we can fight for the victory in both races and end this season in a good way. I’m very much looking forward to it.”

Leonardo Taccini: “It’s the last round of 2022 and I cannot wait to ride my bike again for the second weekend in a row. It is the first time that I am going to ride the beautiful Phillip Island circuit, I don’t have big expectations as it will be very hard to ride a good pace there. We will try to achieve the best possible results and of course enjoy the weekend as well as it’s the last one of the year. I think it’s one of the most beautiful tracks in the world so I cannot wait to get started.”

Kervin Bos – Ten Kate Racing team manager: “We are already at Phillip Island and after a very hot weekend in Indonesia it looks set to be a cold weekend with mixed weather, so far we have already seen all the different weather conditions. The big prizes were secured last weekend so there is no pressure anymore, everyone in the team is looking forward to race at Phillip Island again. It remains a magical place to be and I think it is one of the favourite tracks for almost everyone.

Dominique is obviously in top form and Leonardo also improved step by step in Indonesia despite his wrist, so I expect him to do better here. We will go for maximum scores and hope to finish the season in a nice way.”

After two free practice sessions on Friday and a qualifying session on Saturday morning, Race 1 on Saturday and Race 2 on Sunday will both be run at 14:30 local time, 04:30 Central European Time.