As the 2024 Mi-bike Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) is set to head to Phillip Island for round five next month, we break down key topics to follow in this instalment of Top 10.

1. The race to four Superbike titles:
As it stands, it’s a two-rider race for the ASBK title with Josh Waters (McMartin Racing) leading Mike Jones (Yamaha Racing Team). While both riders are fighting for the ’24 crown, they each have three premier class championships to their name, with either one of them having the chance to create history and become a four-time Australian Superbike champion.

2. Nahlous in the box seat for Supersport championship:
The Supersport title race has had it all this year, from controversial rulings through to chaotic races. With Stop and Seal Racing’s Tom Toparis now out of the championship hunt, Yamaha-mounted Jonathan Nahlous further strengthened his points advantage at Morgan Park, where he now leads Archie McDonald (Stop and Seal Racing) by a comfortable 32-point margin. With three rounds to go, he’s in the box seat to be crowned champion, but he will need to maintain consistent results.

3. Momentum of next-generation riders:
This year has seen the next generation of ASBk talent step up to the plate, and they’re carrying some serious momentum. We’ve seen youthful duo Broc Pearson (DesmoSport Ducati) and Max Stauffer (Penrite Racing SBK) on the podium at the last two rounds respectively, while teenage sensation Cameron Dunker (Penrite Racing SBK) was just shy of the box last time out in Queensland. It will be interesting to see what impact this trio has in the second half of the series.

4. The Herfoss factor:
While reigning champion Troy Herfoss is in the midst of a MotoAmerica campaign, he’s featured in three of the first four ASBK rounds with DesmoSport Ducati. We’re likely to see him appear again before the season is finished, and he very well could play a part in how the championship unfolds, stealing valuable points as a podium and race-winning threat.

5. Voight’s return:
After landing on the podium in his national Superbike debut, international Harrison Voight is set to line up with McMartin Racing once again when the series returns to Phillip Island next month. The teenager, who also featured in Sydney’s second round, is currently contesting the Moto2 European Championship, and will make his third ASBK appearance of the year at round five.

6. The time is now for Halliday:
Yamaha Racing Team’s Cru Halliday currently holds down third in the championship standings, 34.5 points behind series leader Waters, and just 5.5 points ahead of an improving Pearson. The time is now for the New South Welshman to step up and keep himself within title contention, and while the championship lead is in the distance, anything can happen across three rounds of racing.

7. One Raceway back on the calendar:
Formerly known as Wakefield Park, the rebranded One Raceway rejoins the ASBK calendar for round six. While it’s a familiar circuit for most riders on the grid, the venue has undergone a complete resurface alongside various upgrades, which could throw a curveball once the national championship lands there on 4-6 October.

8. The future of Toparis:
It’s been an interesting year for Tom Toparis, to say the least. After initially being announced to step up to the premier class in 2024, the two-time Supersport champion missed the season-opener in favour of a WorldSSP wildcard, to then abort his Superbike plans altogether and race the following ASBK rounds in the 600cc class. He managed to put himself within striking distance of the title in just two rounds, however a nasty crash at Morgan Park essentially ruled him out of contention while sidelining him at the same time. It’s unclear what the future holds for the Stop and Seal Racing entry.

9. Sissis resurgence:
A switch to Stop and Seal Racing after the first two rounds has seemingly provided former international Arthur Sissis with a spring in his step, the South Australian experiencing a surge in results despite racing with a somewhat unfamiliar package. With a fourth in race two at Morgan Park, Sissis will be one to follow as he attempts to maintain an uptick in form.

10. Walters reunites with Kawasaki:
After a failed project aboard Aprilia machinery over the last 18 months, Matt Walters is returning to what he knows best as he reunites with Kawasaki. The long-time Kawasaki-supported rider is set to make his return at Phillip Island after overcoming a wrist, which will coincide with his first appearance aboard the ZX-10 since 2022.