Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1182254
IN THE WIND P52 Jones Takes 2019 ASBK Championship M ike Jones has claimed the 2019 Kawasaki Australian Superbike Championship by emerging from two pressure- cooker races with pair of victories at the Motul Pirelli ASBK season finale at Sydney Motorsport Park. From seventh on the grid, the Desmosport Ducati rider launched himself into the lead pack with blinder starts in both races, before going wheel-to- wheel with his main opponents, Troy Herfoss and Wayne Maxwell. In Race 1, Maxwell held the ascendancy in the early laps after a battle with Daniel Falzon, before Jones passed the Suzuki rider at Turn 9. Maxwell was also passed by Troy Herfoss, who caught Jones in the closing laps but was unable to find a way past. Maxwell faded late, and was ultimately forced to defend third position from an attacking Bryan Staring on his Kawasaki. The result saw Jones taking a half-point lead over Herfoss into the very last race of the season. Another strong start from Maxwell saw the Suzuki rider lead Race 2 initially, before he was passed by both Jones and Herfoss. What fol- lowed was an epic battle between Jones and Herfoss; the two riders exploited each other's strengths and weaknesses, and swapped the lead on numerous occasions, including three changes on the very last lap. The defining moment hap- pened when Herfoss launched an all-or-nothing attack at Turn 9, ran wide and allowed Jones to pull clear. "It was incredible going into these two races—we knew we had to win both races," Jones said. "I came into the weekend with the goal of taking pole and win- ning both races. We didn't get pole and that hurt a lot—I blame myself for that. "Going into the two races, I knew there was a lot of pressure coming from behind, but I did the best I could and we got the job done." "In that last race, when I was out in front I was trying my hard- est – I wanted to make a gap and get away; I wasn't looking after the tire, I was just going as hard as I could. "When Troy came past me, I thought I was in a bit of trouble and panicked slightly. But I said to myself 'I'm not going to lose this championship' and all my focus was on catching and passing him." Runner-up Herfoss was philo- sophical in defeat. "You always go to the track to win, but I say to myself 'if I've done my best and left everything out there, I've done everything pos- sible' and I did that today." CN Jones (46) came out on top after a fight to the end with Troy Herfoss (1).