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In a surprise announcement, Australian Anthony Gobert has confirmed that he will compete in the opening two rounds of the 2006 Supersport World Championship in Qatar (February 25) and Australia (March 5).
The immensely gifted 30-year-old, whose victory in the 1994 Australian Superbike Championship first propelled him onto the world stage, will deputise for injured Spanish rider David Checa, aboard the all-new Yamaha YZF-R6.
The New South Welshman, whose battles with alcohol and drugs over the years have been well documented, is ecstatic about the opportunity afforded him by the French-based GMT 94 squad, and is hoping to really put some runs on the board in his home round at Phillip Island.
“The whole deal came together really quickly,” said Gobert. “The GMT 94 team manager rang me over the weekend, and before I knew it the ride was locked in.
“There’s no doubt I’m going to be on a steep learning curve at Qatar, but by the time I get to Phillip Island I hope to have everything sorted and put on a really good show.
“And I reckon I’m on the best Supersport bike at the moment in the new YZF-R6. And one of my bikes will be straight from the Yamaha factory – which I didn’t expect, but I’m delighted with!”
Gobert already knows the fast way around Phillip Island, having won five of his eight world Superbike races at the iconic Victorian circuit.
Gobert, who will turn 31 during the Phillip Island weekend, still longs for a full-time return to the international arena after a couple of season spent back home in Australia.
“I’ve been travelling since I was 20, and to tell you the truth I’m getting a little bored back home in Oz,” said Gobert. “I would dearly love to race in another world title of some description, and if I do well I might be asked to complete in the rest of the Supersport World Championship. That would be awesome.”
However, even if world title incumbency doesn’t eventuate in 2006, Gobert will still compete outside of Australia in the Spanish Formula Extreme Championship, and he’s also struck a deal to compete in the famed Le Mans 24-hour endurance race alongside the rehabilitated Checa. GMT 94 is an endurance specialist, having won the 2004 world title.
“Yep, the Spanish deal is there, which would see me riding a Suzuki GSX-R1000 for one of the top teams (Austin Suzuki) in the Formula Extreme Championship,” continued the former 500cc GP rider. “I have always loved Spain, and I’ll base myself in Madrid during the season.”
In the meantime, the Losail circuit in Qatar beckons, where Gobert will be joined on the grid by four countrymen: Yamaha Motor Germany pairing Kevin Curtain and Broc Parkes, both on YZF-R6s; 2005 Australian Superbike and Supersport champion Josh Brookes (Ducati SC Caracchi 749R); and the UK-based veteran Dean Thomas (Team Gil Motorsport Kawasaki ZX-6RR), who will be replacing the injured Stephane Chambon.
Meanwhile, in the top flight world Superbike division, reigning world champion Troy Corser (Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra GSX-R1000) will lead the Aussie assault in Qatar, as he strives to move clear of a deadlock with American Colin Edwards on the all-time world Superbike winner’s list.
Corser, who won his first world Superbike title in 1996, and Edwards currently reside on 31 wins apiece, behind four-time world champion Carl Fogarty (59).
Corser won race one at Losail in 2005, before going onto win five of his next six outings – including a superb double at Phillip Island.
Meanwhile, 2001 world Superbike champion Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox 999F06), after three testing years in MotoGP, makes a welcome return to the production-based class at Qatar, while former world Supersport champions Andrew Pitt (Yamaha Motor Italia YZF-R1SP) and Karl Muggeridge (Winston Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) will be eager to hit the ground running after solid rookie years in 2005.
The final Australian in action will be Steve Martin (Foggy Petronas Racing FP1), entering his sixth year of world Superbike competition.
Links
Superbike and Supersport World Championships – www.superbike.it
Phillip Island circuit – www.phillipislandcircuoit.com.au
Phillip Island ticketing - www.phillipislandcircuit.com.au/superbike.php
