And we turn our attention to the premier class in Round 5 of the 2022 Australian Superbike Championship starting with Wayne Maxwell who was too good all along in Race 1, even though he was relieved to see off a late challenge from Mike Jones in the No.46 Yamaha.
Later in Race 2 though, there were so many lead changes that brings so much excitement. This time Jones was off to a flying start over the first half out of lap 16 before Maxwell regained the lead for a while. But then there was a new challenger up front in Troy Herfoss who set the fastest lap at this track in his No.17 Honda. Sadly, Herfoss’s extended run was short lived when his soft tire gamble didn’t keep him up there in 5th after a strong start in 3rd in Race 1. He has showed excellent form of late though with two podiums from last round in Darwin.
So that leaves between Jones & Maxwell now for the win that went down the wire. Jones tried to hold off 1st on the last lap before Maxwell found the inside line at Dunlop Corner & took back first once more, as Maxwell capped off with back-to-back wins in the No.1 Ducati for the K-Tech Team.
Jones was disappointed not to stop Maxwell’s outstanding spell when he didn’t have enough time to upsurge him in Race 1 before he lost the lead a few times during the 2nd half of Race 2. However, he’s still the championship leader & top quality rider nonetheless in the hope of wrapping up the title with two rounds left of the ASBK season.
Plus, we give a few shoutouts starting with No.3 of Jed Metcher who never looked out of place just inside the Top 10 (9th in Race 1 & 10th in Race 3). The same goes to Anthony West after he rebounded from a Race 1 DNF in 8th during Race 2. And how about last year’s Supersport champ Broc Pearson after he finished back-to-back in 4th, especially when he was this close towards passing team-mate Bryan Staring in Race 2. He’s blessed to be given the opportunity by Troy Bayliss & Ben Henry at Desmosport Ducati where he took it with both hands from the 3rd row (7th) to just outside the Top 3.