With superbike racing proving to be a closely-fought affair everywhere, however, it would be foolish to rule out a challenge from the likes of Chris Walker,
Regis Laconi,
Roberto Rolfo,
Fonsi Nieto or Max Neukirchner, while the performance of Foggy Petronas duo Steve Martin and Craig Jones remains under observation for signs of a threat.
In the accompanying World Supersport class, there was just one name on everyone's lips in Qatar - Sebastien Charpentier. The reigning champion introduced himself with an pole lap that left even his team-mate 0.9secs adrift - the second biggest gap on record - and the Frenchman proceeded to rack up the fourth
grand chelem of his career, annexing the pole, victory and fastest lap while staying in front of the pack for the entire race.
For that reason, it has to be hard to look past the Winston Ten Kate Honda star at Phillip Island, but there will certainly be a host of rivals attempting to stop the rot - not least local favourites Kevin Curtain, Josh Brookes, Anthony Gobert, Dean Thomas and Broc Parkes, who all endured differing fortunes at Losail. While Curtain claimed the second step of the podium, and Brookes and Gobert scored points, Thomas and Parkes were listed among the DNFs - something they will want to put right this weekend.
Also out to build on his opening round performance will be
Kenan Sofuoglu, who produced a maiden podium for both himself and his native Turkey on his WSS debut.
Missing from action this weekend, however, will be expected frontrunner Katsuaki Fujiwara, who will have to wait to make amends for the tumble that put him out of round one. The Japanese Honda rider broke his scaphoid in Qatar, and is likely to be replaced by Team Megabike Honda's Yoann Tiberio, despite the 19-year old suffering the lingering effects of a cycling injury that put him out of the Qatar round before it had even started.
The race weekend returns to 'normal' in Australia, with practice and qualifying days on Friday and Saturday, and all races taking place Sunday.
