Page 122 - Australian Motorcycle News (January 2020)
P. 122
race
report
International Island Classic Phillip Island
1 2
five seconds off the ASBK out the top 10. finishes and a team effort are. all turned to custard as he
Superbike times. Hayes The highest scoring Team But to do this required skill, selected a false neutral going
took the lead from Phillis UK riders were Brendan cool heads and self-belief. into Turn Four.
in a stunning overtake that Wilson in 13th and Alex Metcher and Phillis battled Lucky not to crash, he
had Phillis telling him: “You Sinclair in 15th. early for the lead, with rejoined to finish fifth. Phillis
scared the shit out of me.” “I kept a tight line coming Johnson running strongly won his duel with Metcher
As the race wound down onto the main straight for the in third before brake issues to take his first Challenge
he seemed to pace himself to finish to protect my lead and forced his retirement. Hayes win since 2017, when he
control the race. Meanwhile it blew my drive to the line,” again charged through and by beat Jeremy McWilliams.
Phillis and Metcher were said Hayes, indicating he lap three was challenging for Metcher finished just 0.387
running side-by-side into thought he was lucky to win. the lead and running at near behind with Pegram, the
Turn One in a desperate battle lap-record pace. quiet achiever, finishing
for second. Race Two By lap four just 0.4secs 4.5secs behind the Aussie
Phillis set the fastest lap A pivotal race of the covered the top three. It was in third. Martin was fourth,
of the race in the run to the weekend, Team USA dragged breathtaking to watch these with Gilbert sixth and Morris
flag (1m37.087s), but Hayes themselves to within three riders three abreast into Turn seventh.
held him off for a split-second points of Australia despite One to start lap 5. Jordan Szoke, a multiple
victory, with Metcher just only one of their riders Hayes emerged from the Canadian Superbike
0.050secs behind Phillis. making the podium. Southern Loop in front and champion and Phillip Island
Fourth was Larry Pegram, Having five of their riders extended his lead by two debutant, finished a strong
earning vital points for Team finish in the top 10 showed seconds, looking in total eighth, with teammate Knapp
America. Over the weekend how important consistent control. On the last lap, it ninth, ahead of Giles.
he would become a sort of
enforcer for the Yanks while
he gained valuable points. Team USA dragged themselves to
Behind him was Martin,
Johnson, Gilbert, Knapp and within three points of Australia
Beaton, with Giles rounding
120 amcn.com.au
