After qualifying the fastest for the 21-lap main event, Herfoss had been rounding a corner mid race when his back wheel hit some loose dirt, causing his bike to spin out.

American National Champion Jared Mees went on to take out the prestigious event, the first international rider to do so, with Herfoss being forced to withdraw due to bent handle bars.

“It was a bummer because I had the best pace of everyone and I was the fastest qualifier,” Herfoss said.

“I just made a silly mistake in the final, the rear wheel dropped in, hit some loose dirt and spun around.

“It bent the handle bars pretty bad, and I couldn’t turn the bike.”

He was lucky to escape injury, estimating he was travelling upwards of 100km per hour when he lost control of the bike.

“It happens so quick, it doesn’t hurt, it’s just frustrating,” he said.

“Everything slows down when you’re riding and really concentrating, and to me it felt like I wasn’t going fast at all. When I crashed I just tried to hang onto the bike and get up as quick as I could. I’m fine though, not one bit of skin or bruising at all. “

Earlier in the night Herfoss had been a top performer, taking out the Americana elimination event, which saw 36 riders eventually whittled down to a final three.

The event is popular in America, and Herfoss was happy to have beaten the number of Americans including Jared Mees and Henry Miles.

“I had a really good run,” Herfoss said.

“It’s a fun event. It’s on an oval track so no right hand turns at all. It was really quick racing, so straight from the finish line, back to the start line and you go again.

“Beating the Americans was cool, although they obviously returned the favour in the Troy Bayliss.”

Over 6000 fans had packed into the Taree Motorcycle Club stadium in Taree NSW.

“It’s quite a big crowd for how small the circuit is (400m). The event takes over the town. It was a real good atmosphere,” Herfoss said.

“I love it when there are guys there to share it with you and there are seven thousand people there watching who share the same passion and love for the sport.”

Next on the agenda for Herfoss is a trip to Phillip Island to test ride Honda Superbikes in preparation for the upcoming Australian Superbike Championships.

The competition starts in late February.

“The transition between the two styles comes more natural now,” Herfoss said.

“At first it was real foreign to get back onto the road bike. But over the years I think you develop skills for each discipline of motorsport.

“You sort of flick the switch; it’s almost like going from a manual car to an automatic.”