Team Suzuki Press Office – February 26.
Josh Waters – (3-2-2) – 2nd overall
Markus Chiodo – (10-25-11) – 12th overall
Team Suzuki ECSTAR Australia got off to a flying start in the 2018 Australian Superbike Championship this weekend, run in conjunction with the opening World Superbike Championship round with defending champion Josh Waters taking home second place overall with Pole Position and a 3-2-2 result aboard the new GSX-R1000.
Waters’ team-mate and ASBK Rookie Markus Chiodo came home 12th (10-25-11) for the weekend in a packed 50-plus field after qualifying in 14th and battling all weekend.
Josh Waters:
“It was a tough weekend overall. I felt great on Friday, and it showed with a strong time and Pole Position for the weekend. I was in the lead when the rain started to come down in the first race and the conditions were getting dangerous, but the confusion in pit lane meant we didn’t get warmers on for some time and so it made the second part of the race tough to race with the lead riders. For the rest of the weekend, we were chasing the setup a little around the conditions and I was pushing hard all the time to keep battling for the lead. Overall, I’m happy heading into the next round, so second overall isn’t a bad start to the year.”
Markus Chiodo: ”
I expect a lot from myself, especially having this incredible team supporting me, so to come home 12th overall, I didn’t achieve the goal I set for myself. Phillip Island is a strong circuit for me, so I really wanted to do well here, but after qualifying in 14th, I had my work cut-out for me in every race to even try to reach the lead group, let alone stick with them. A crash in race two put me way down the order, losing some critical points that could have seen me reach the top-10.”.
Dale Brede – Team Owner:
“It was a great weekend of racing that had us all on the edge of our seats in every race with close racing and typical changing Phillip Island weather causing havoc not just for us but everyone in the paddock.
“Finding the perfect settings this weekend was a challenge with the conditions and Josh managed to ride the wheels off the bike to get the results he did and Markus, although I know he’s a little disappointed to be outside the top 10, did a great job on debut and no doubt will continue to improve every time he rides the GSX-R1000. To head to our home round second in the championship with podiums in every race is a great result, but we’re motivated to win and will keep working hard to get there!”
Team Suzuki ECSTAR Australia racing now prepare for what is a home race for the Canberra-based team in Wakefield Park, Goulburn NSW on March 16-18th.