MIKE JONES MADE his first steps into the European Superstock 1000 Championship with a two- day test at Jerez in Spain between 24 and 25 January, on his 1200cc Aruba.it Racing Ducati team Panigale.
For the 22-year-old the timing of the move overseas is perfect. “As an Aussie I raced Superbike in Australia for three years and had success there,” said Jones, who finished the Jerez tests with 111 laps under his belt and a very respectable best lap of 1m43.670s, set on day two. “I think the next step for me was definitely coming here to race in the European Superstock 1000 Championship. I think it will take me to another level because I’m riding at new circuits with new competitors who will push me further. This for me is the start of my goal to race in the world championship … We’ll have to see how it goes through the year but it’s starting well.”
Jones was supported in his push to Europe by one of the most successful ever Aussie exports: three-time WSBK Champion Troy Bayliss. His exact role in promoting Jones’ career in 2017 is still not quite known to the rider himself, it appears, as he laughed, “Troy is a very cool guy, very funny, very crazy! He’s a co-owner of the DesmoSport Ducati team in Australia and has been able to help organise this ride with Ducati. I’m not sure if you’d call him my manager, but he’s certainly a big influence on what’s going on right now. There are lots of good up and coming riders, but without the contacts it’s almost impossible to keep going forward. Troy is helping to keep moving me forward. Hopefully the association between Aussies and Ducati will continue.”
Jones’ path to Europe is a well-trodden one, and he has ridden there before, if not full-time. “Australian riders have had a really good history in World Superbike and MotoGP,” said Jones. “I am glad to be an Aussie and glad to be making this step and I hope that over the coming years I can possibly be the next Australian rider to be winning the world championship, but this is just a dream at the moment. I did a couple of wildcards in Stock 600 at the end of 2012 in Nürburgring and Portimao. Then I was planning to race a full season in 2013 in Stock 600 but it only went half the season.
I did Aragón, Assen, Imola, Monza – so I have done a few tracks. But I have never been to Jerez before. After this I head to Portimao for testing.”
By GORDON RITCHIE
