Contributed
Yamaha Racing Team’s Mike Jones has continued his mid-season purple patch at round four of the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship, presented by Motul (ASBK), at Morgan Park Raceway, Warwick, on July 13-14.
The Queenslander was the Sunday supremo yet again, winning both races to claim the overall Alpinestars Superbike honours on his Yamaha YZF-R1 ahead of polesitter Broc Pearson (DesmoSport Ducati), championship leader Josh Waters (McMartin Racing Ducati) and Penrite Racing Yamaha duo Cameron Dunker and Max Stauffer.
It was his second maximum-point haul in succession this season and his fourth and fifth victories at Morgan Park in ASBK Championship mode, where his speed, temperament and metronomic consistency are a perfect fit for a circuit which can throw massive curve balls at the unsuspecting.
The dominant performance has also given the 30-year-old’s 2024 championship aspirations a massive boost. He’s now on 162.5pts, only 17 behind Waters ahead of round five at Phillip Island on September 7-8. Jones’ teammate Cru Halliday is third.
“It’s great to get two wins, which is super critical for the championship,” said Jones. “Both races were super hard, and most importantly I was able to pull back on a few points on Josh.
“The Yamaha worked a treat, in what was basically the same setup I used last year although the track and weather conditions have been a lot different this time around.
“Tough racing today, and I’m just pleased to take the wins.”
