We take a look at the ABSK from Phillip Island

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We were at the opening round of the World Superbikes this weekend and we have the action from the from the Australian Superbike Championship and the Australian Supersport Championship

Keep an eye out for more great photos and interviews.

The weekend in brief

Team Suzuki’s Wayne Maxwell has converted his pole position to a comfortable win in the opening 12-lap race of the QBE Australian Superbike Championship’s ‘WSBK Cup’ at Phillip Island today.

The Victorian rider held position off the start and immediately began to stretch his legs on the Suzuki as the chase pack began an entertaining battle for the remaining podium spots.

At the height of his dominance, Maxwell was over eight seconds clear of second place, though he would eventually cruise across the line with a 4.796s advantage.

It’s been a perfect showing thus far for Suzuki’s sole factory rider who is hopeful that 2013 can be the year he breaks through for a maiden ASBK title.

“We couldn’t ask for much more today, a flag to flag win is a good way to start things off,” said Maxwell.

“I got a good start and the bike was very consistent. There are a few things we are not quite happy with but we’ll stick to our plan of trying as many different settings as we can over the weekend to collect as much data as possible.

“We’re keeping focused on the main goal which is being ready for the first point-scoring round of the Championship in Tasmania.”

The existing lap record holder clocked his best effort on lap 6, the 1m33.535s flyer making him the only rider in the field to dip below 1m34s.

C.M. Racing Team’s Chas Hern brought his Suzuki home in a commendable second place, inheriting the position when fellow GSX-R rider Beau Beaton ran off the circuit as he recovered from a near-highside crash on lap 7.

Dynotech Maxima BMW’s Linden Magee held off a fast-finishing Ben Henry to claim the final podium position and stop a Suzuki clean sweep.

Rover Coaches Kawasaki rider Matt Walters opened his Honda Australian Prostock points account with a solid class win on his ZX10R.

Walters had the measure of fellow Kawasaki riders Dustin Goldsmith and Phil Lovett for the race distance, and was able to add the race lap record to his name to accompany yesterday’s quick qualifying effort.

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Check out our weekend’s work from the WSBK opener here (more to come!)

Photos by Sam Tickell, February 2013

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