MICHELIN SUPERSPORT CHAMPIONSHIP While the 600cc Michelin Supersport class is just as competitive as the main Superbike series, they also provide extreme fun without the unsettling power and brutality of a Superbike.
Hailing from the Sunshine Coast and is entering his second year in the 600s, Lytras has made an impression in every class he contested since he commenced road racing in the GP Juniors in 2017. He’s certain to be a race winner by year’s end. Jack Passfield (8th). Jack is another quiet achiever and a consistent top six finisher. His improvement signals he can be a threat over a full season. Tom Bramich (9th) Tom enters his second full season in the class and with the support he has behind him, I expect things will click for the 2015 Australian Moto 3 and 2018 Supersport 300 Champion. With a solid year he’ll get closer to the front as the season progresses.
Broc Pearson and Max Stauffer may be exiting the class, but more riders will be stepping up to challenge. After finishing runner-up in the title by just six points, Tom Edwards is remaining in the class on the Bikebiz Yamaha. After coming through the junior ranks of the MRRDA and GP Juniors (as well as racing in Asia), Edwards ventured overseas to compete in the World Supersport 300cc class in 2018-19 where he finished 23rd and 17th respectively with his best results being a brace of sixths places.
Ben Baker comes into the class as the reigning Australian Supersport 300 and Yamaha R3 Cup Champion - the only rider that has managed to claim both titles in the same year. Another graduate of GP Juniors Cup, Baker has an extremely promising future. He has grown considerably in the past 18 months and that will be an asset as he adapts to the 600cc machine.
Naturally, he is the favourite for the title, with added the incentive of a Supersport championship being the perfect addition to his resume to return to the world championship ranks Listed in their finishing position last year, the challengers to the 2022 title include: Scott Nicholson (4th) Since starting in the junior categories, the young Victorian has progressed well through the ranks and has been knocking on the door of regular visits to the top of the podium. He also claimed a new Supersport lap record at Broadford in December last year. Keep an eye on #39. Dallas Skeer (5th) Dallas is a quietly spoken South Australian who switches from Suzuki to Yamaha this year after purchasing one of Broc Pearson’s championship winning machines. He is not far off his first win in the class. John Lytras (7th)
26
Also keep an eye out for others that may shine throughout the year. Supersport has a tendency for throwing up the unexpected.
