Reid Battye is one of Australia’s fastest people on two wheels, but he’s not even allowed to get on the road yet.
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The Bermagui 15-year-old set a lap record in his class during the World Superbike Championships at Philip Island over the weekend – a shining highlight on his 2nd place finish overall.
He scored a win in his opening race in the Supersport 300 series and was pipped for line honours in the second round by just .061 of a second.
“It really was a photo finish,” Reid says with a laugh. “But I just saw his wheel cross a hair in front of mine, that’s racing though.”
The runner-up was Tom Edwards in the opening race and it was also Edwards who tipped the win in the second round as the two riders rode “bar-to-bar” for the majority of both rounds.
Reid said getting the results were a thrill as he “wasn’t on the pace” during warm-up sessions.
“We had to change the set up of the bike, then during qualifying we got pole by about one tenth of a second,” he said.
“I was able to hold on and we came out P1, to get that win in front of all those World guys, especially at that track, it is an awesome feeling.
to get that win in front of all those World guys, especially at that track, it is an awesome feeling
- Reid Battye
“To get the lap record for the 300s is incredible, I’m stoked.”
Reid hit a series best lap time at 1 minute 50, about four seconds faster than a good lap among the field.
Adding an even brighter sheen to the glowing results, was that his second place finish overall was against all-age competitors and included the higher class bikes.
“It’s all-ages, but I was able to beat all the 390s and 320s – the Yamahas – as well,” Reid says, beaming.
The result is a strong indication for the MotoGP hopeful, who has headed to Thailand this weekend for the opening round of the Asia Talent Cup.
Reid said he was excited to be on the plane to Thailand last week for the opening round where he competed at the Chang International Circuit.
He’s trialled for the Talent Cup before, and is excited to take his first run at the Asian series after gaining entry late last year.
“I haven’t raced against any of these guys yet, but I know they’ve got some really fast boys over there.” he said.
It’s a more regulated series and the bikes will essentially be identical.
“I’ve never got to race the circuit either, so I will certainly be learning as I go, but I’m really excited to start the process.”
Against riders he’s never faced on a circuit he’d never ridden, Reid accounted for himself well, finishing middle of the pack in 15th place after the opening round of the Cup.
Continuing legs of the Talent Cup will see Red travelling to compete on some exotic tracks including in Malaysia, Thailand, Qatar and Japan.