Herfoss excited to take on super field
TROY Herfoss is targeting a top 10 finish when he ticks off a “lifelong dream” by competing against the world’s best motorcycle racers.
The Gold Coaster is counting down the days until his World Superbike Championship debut at Phillip Island on February 23-25 after being granted a wildcard.
Herfoss, who won the national superbike series in 2015 and 2016, has long wished for a chance to compete against stars such as three-time reigning world champion Jonathan Rea.
“Blokes like Jonny and Chaz Davies are my age and I have always dreamt of racing against them in the world championship,” he told the Bulletin.
“Whether I am racing against them or just riding on the same track, that’s to be seen but it will be really exciting to get down there and see first-hand how good they are.
“I would like to think a top 10 result is realistic but I would never go to a race like that underestimating it.
“It is going to be tough for me but if everything goes well, a top 10 result is not unrealistic.”
The 30-year-old will ride a newly built Honda at the high-speed Victorian track.
“The world superbike rules are a lot more open so we can ride a lot more powerful bike and that costs money so that is basically the reason why it hasn’t happened in the past,” Herfoss said.
Beyond that opportunity, Herfoss labelled reclaiming his national crown as his major goal.
A third straight title slipped through the cracks last year when rare mechanical gremlins struck at the finale.
“The whole team is really motivated to try to regain the No.1,” he said.
In the off-season Herfoss surprised even himself with some stellar performances on a road bike.
He caught the attention of many at the recent national cycling championships when he broke away from the field and led for a large chunk of the race. He eventually finished 23rd after a late hiccup.
Herfoss described the race as a “massive high point for me” and admitted he is open to the idea of pursuing a cycling career, too.
“I focus on the motorbike through the year and once the season finishes, I put my foot down and get fit for nationals,” he said.
BLOKES LIKE JONNY AND CHAZ DAVIES ARE MY AGE AND I HAVE ALWAYS DREAMT OF RACING AGAINST THEM IN THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TROY HERFOSS