Chiodo claims the Motul Supersport PI Championship Title

After Ted Collins clinched the 2017 Motul Supersport Championship back at Sydney Round 6, there was still plenty to fixate your eye on for the epic last race of the season as, Mark Chiodo (Repsol GAS Racing, Triumph Daytona 675R) and Tom Toparis (Cube Racing, Kawasaki ZX6R) put on a show for the local spectators.

In what were close to perfect track conditions, the Motul Supersport competitors chased down victories across two races today. With Chiodo qualifying fastest yesterday, he would start the race from pole position.

Mark Chiodo dominated the Supersport category at Phillip Island – Image by TBG

Race One

It was pole position setter Chiodo who got the jump off the start and moved in to the early race lead ahead of Tom Toparis (Cube Racing, Kawasaki ZX6R) and Sam Condon (BikeBiz, Yamaha YZF-R6). From there, the top three riders separated themselves from the field, leaving Ryan Taylor (RTR by Moto Obsession, Yamaha YZF-R6) and Mason Coote (Aark Racing, Yamaha YZF-R6) in their wake.

Toparis and Chiodo were trading blows and positions in the opening laps as the Triumph had greater top end speed down Gardiner Straight, managing to record 270kph through the speed traps.

With four laps to go, Chiodo increased his lead to nearly half a second, keeping a healthy and consistent distance between himself and second placed Toparis. Mitch Rees (Tony Rees M’cycles, Honda CBR RR) in particular caught the attention of the crowd’s eye with his move on Aiden Hayes (Hayes Johnston, Kawasaki ZX6R).

Coote went down at Turn 11 on lap 4 after losing the rear of his machine. Coote managed to remount and rejoin the race. When the chequered flag flew, Chiodo collected his first race win for the weekend, followed by Toparis in second, while Taylor crossed the line in third. Condon finished in fourth place ahead of Rhys Belling (Trilec Services, Yamaha YZF-R6) who wrapped up race one for the Motul Supersport competitors in fifth.

2017 Motul Supersport Championship Race 1 Provisional Top 10

Mark CHIODO (Repsol GAS Racing, Triumph Daytona)
Tom TOPARIS (Cube Racing, Kawasaki ZX6R)
Ryan TAYLOR (RTR by Moto Obsession, Yamaha YZF-R6)
Sam CONDON (BikeBiz, Yamaha YZF-R6)
Rhys BELLING (Trilec Services, Yamaha YZF-R6)
Mitch REES (Tony Rees M’cycles, Honda CBR RR)
Aidan HAYES (Hayes Johnston, Kawasaki ZX6R)
Chris QUINN (Coopers HXR Yamaha,Yamaha YZF-R6)
Cambridge OLIVIER (Sydney West Riders, Yamaha YZF-R6)

Race Two

Toparis got holeshot from Chiodo and held the lead for two laps until Chiodo managed to dive under brakes to steal the lead back on his Daytona, once again showing that he was in fine form this weekend.

Unfortunately for Victorian rider Taylor, Coote was another rider showing impressive speed this weekend, and as they headed into turn one on lap four, the Yamaha mounted Coote relegated Taylor to forth position, just ahead of closest rival, Chris Quinn (Coopers HXR Yamaha, Yamaha YZF-R6).

From there, even on old tyres, Chiodo capitalised on the lap two opportunity, to make what could be a race winning pass on Toparis and concentrated on building the gap. With only 4 laps remaining of the 10, Chiodo showed that he means business, and to put more distance between himself and Toparis with a gap of 0.405.

The last race win was again taken by Chiodo, while Toparis crossed the line in second position ahead of Coote in third. Taylor, and Belling completed the top five.

Collins is the 2017 Motul Supersport Champion on 263 points, followed by Coote on 218 and Toparis with 212. Chiodo, despite his good run at the Island, will settle for fourth for the season on 204.5.

Mason Coote, “Real credit to Aark Racing for getting the bike back together for me after the first race, without them I wouldnt be racing in the second race. Ryan Taylor could have passed me in that race but he rolled off it to let me keep the position, he was really looking out for me there. Everyone rode so well here today at Phillip Island and it’s a great way to cap off the year.”

Tom Toparis, “It has been a great year for me as it is the second year I’ve been in the sport. It has all been such an incredible learning curve. It was a great race witrh Marcus and I couldn’t get a wheel anywhere near him! I can’t thank everyone enough for getting me up to this point and we’ve shown people that we can run up the front of the field.”

Mark Chiodo, “The last two rounds for me have been great. I have learnt lots in this season and I can carry a bit of confidence heading into 2018. Winning the Phillip Island Challenge is just a bonus really, but finishing fourth in the Championship overall was my fault as I made a few errors during the year. I’d really just like to thank everyone for their support for this season of ASBK.”