In the final round, the two-time Australian champion McMartin Racing Ducati rider took the win at Darwin, securing two wins and a second place finish in three races to secure back-to-back round berths.
He now has 212 points, just eight points behind Waters, who still leads with 220 points. The victory also proved to many that the near-career-ending crash at the same circuit just two years earlier was all but a distant memory.
Top 3 ASBK title contenders last time in Darwin – Waters, Jones and Herfoss
Teams and riders now head to Queensland’s Morgan Park Raceway in the town of Warwick, 130km southwest of Brisbane, for this weekend’s very important round for the championship stars.
The 12-turn, 2.415km layout has been a favorite addition to the championship for years and has played a pivotal role in fulfilling or disappointing many.
This time last year, it was Wayne Maxwell who reigned over Yamaha’s Mike Jones and threw the gauntlet to try and steal as many points as possible. Maxwell took pole position and won both races this year in Waters’ McMartin Racing Ducati.
Waters’ recent performances at Queensland Raceway and Darwin’s Hidden Valley, which have led the championship since the season opener at Phillip Island in February, mean that the Mildura-born rider will be ready for Herfoss or Herfoss if disaster strikes. Most likely to lose to Jones et al. .
But Maxwell did well on the same bike 12 months ago, and the current championship leader comes into this weekend with a machine that has become a proven weapon.
When it comes to the defending champions, the man they call ‘Mad Mike’ has recovered from an engine failure in Round 2 at Sydney Motorsport Park that is nearly fatal to his championship hopes. It has been found.
Jones, who has picked up form in the last two rounds, has moved from a poor eighth place to third overall, but is still about 59 points behind Waters, with 161 points behind him. Whether he can stay within reach of the front two remains to be seen this Sunday.
Mike Jones has bounced back from potential mishaps early in the season, but will it be enough to stay within reach of the championship?
Round 5 of the Australian Superbike Championship will feature 17 riders competing in two 16-lap races for up to 50 points.
The riders will also number their cars ’92’ in honor of former ASBK rider and New Zealand Supersport Champion Damon Rees, who died tragically in England a few weeks ago at the age of 28. Become.
Round 5 of ASBK kicks off this Sunday at 1pm AEST on SBS and SBS On Demand. Rewatch all past seasons of ASBK at any time on SBS On Demand.
https://www.sbs.com.au/sport/article/herfoss-eyeing-asbk-championship-lead-at-morgan-park/qqc4wnzt9 Helfos looking for ASBK Championship lead at Morgan Park
