Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/245323
VOL. 51 ISSUE 3 JANUARY 21, 2014 P85 sprint format where careers often rest on handlebar-banging starts and last-corner lunacy. Emotions run high, slights are never forgotten, and there will always be payback for taking someone out. All On The Line The 2014 TBC paddock was a sea of bonhomie rarely seen in Australian racing. Never before had such an array of champions pitted together, sparking an outbreak of back-slapping and laughter over tales retold and biting banter made new. Bike setup took a back seat as the riders soaked up the quite remarkable atmosphere that had been created by Bayliss and the Taree Motorcycle Club. It didn't last long. By 9 a.m. riders and teams were busily discussing ride heights, suspension settings, gearing, and wheel/tire choices as a baking sun started to beat down on the greasy oil track. Only the international newbies Halbert, Wiles and Masa were allowed to practice on the half-mile oil/tar track on Thursday, racking up around 60 laps each before the club curated the track on Friday in preparation of Saturday's racing. Tension and expectation hung in the air, for someone's victory is somebody else's loss. We talked to Kirkness about his emotional win in 2013, commenting that it was relatively comfortable over Troy Herfoss. "We'll be comfortable enough to do a wheelie across the line…" Henry Wiles also made the trip Down Under with the Peoria TT legend finishing just off the podium in fourth. he deadpanned. A little while later, Herfoss was asked what he needed to do to bridge the gap to Kirkness. "It wasn't a gap, we were running the same times," Herfoss said, returning serve. "He got a good start, that was the difference. He's good at that. I need to get better starts and not fight my way past guys in the early laps." The pair faced off in an early heat and Herfoss made good on his promise. He holeshotted and held on for a hugely important psychological victory. This time, it was his turn to showboat. As he rounded the last turn for the final time, he slowed and looked over his shoulder straight into the eyes of Kirkness. He held his gaze as he crossed the line at a canter, so what does Kirkness do? He pulls a massive wheelie right past a self-satisfied Herfoss who shoots ahead out of turn one on the slow-down lap and theatrically raises his left index finger to the skies to indicate who really is number one. Nearby, Bayliss's face was speckled with oil after his incredible first heat win over Kirkness. Hell, this was no heat, it was a final fought out in white-hot intensity between two guys who are driven by the fear of defeat more than the thrill of victory, yet traded respecting slaps on the slowdown lap. With nary a cloud in the sky, Bayliss appeared happy and relaxed as he greeted dozens of well wishers in the pits. Last year with the rain threatening to halt