For Toparis, 17, it was a double-header event in which he rode the three domestic races alongside a wildcard entry in the Supersport World Championship (WorldSSP). After qualifying fifth in the wet, Toparis went on to win all three ASBK Supersport races to lead the championship at the end of round one.

The Goulburn racer also shined in his first-career WorldSSP appearance, finishing among a host of experienced world championship campaigners to score a point in 15th on Sunday afternoon. He finished the best of the Australian riders in the world stage event and learned a lot over the course of race week, that will benefit him in the national season.

"To win all three races was such a good reward for the team and I, we've worked so hard and it's been a big week," Toparis said. "Everybody has put in so much effort and it's a great way to start to season with 75 points.

“I also got points in WorldSSP, learned so much riding and it was just good fun. It's exciting for me and really opens your eyes up! Thanks again to the team for everything, it was so good."

Bayliss was just as impressive in the nail-biting Supersport 300 ranks, rocketing from 10th on the grid to finish with 1-2-1 results in the trio of races. It was a coming of age of sorts for the 14-year-old, impressing onlookers throughout the round and establishing an early championship lead.

"It's been such a good weekend, the pressure seems to give me that bit more adrenaline and I'm excited to win," Bayliss commented. "It was so much fun and I've improved a lot since this time last year, so I'm really happy. That last one was one of the craziest races I've ever had! I'm pumped to win it."

Cube Racing team owner and manager Ben Henry said it was an exceptional result for the team to begin the 2018 season. 

"Both of the boys are leaving here leading their national championships and it's so good," Henry explained. "I'm really happy for them and us as a team, plus Tom got points in WorldSSP, which was really impressive and a big effort for a young kid. He did really, really good all week in testing and the race weekend. I couldn't be happier with how both Tom and Oli have performed to start the season."

Next up will be round two of the 2018 championship at Wakefield Park in New South Wales, the home round of Toparis and an event that is certain to see the talented Bayliss among the front of the field once again.

AUSTRALIAN SUPERSPORT CHAMPIONSHIP – After Round 1

Penrite Honda Racing's first competitive appearance in the Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) resulted in a race win and third overall for Troy Herfoss in Phillip Island's 2018 opening round between 22-25 February.

A gruelling week of action, which saw the ER Motorsport organisation operating Honda Motorcycles Australia's factory team for the first time, featured Herfoss and the team in both the ASBK and Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) categories.

Troy Herfoss (Honda) was the first-up winner in ASBK superbikes before Wayne Maxwell (Yamaha) and Bryan Staring (Kawasaki) greeted the chequered flag in races two and three.

Staring was the overall winner on 60 points, with defending champion Josh Waters (Suzuki) and Herfoss tied on 59 ahead of Bayliss (51).

AUSTRALIAN SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIPS (ASBK) –  After Round 1