There’s no shortage of capable young riders on the move in the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli, prompting us to dedicate this month’s Top 10 to list the finest at this point. To assist us in narrowing the list down we’ve stuck to the Superbike/Supersport categories (the lower tiers are stacked with youthful talent) and riders who are campaigning the full series, so here’s what we’ve come up with.

Image: Russell Colvin.

1. Mike Jones:
Already boasting a premier class crown from last year, DesmoSport Ducati’s Mike Jones has shown he is among the best in the business locally. Still only 22, it feels as though ‘Mad Mike’ has been around longer, but he is still relatively young in comparison to some of his main opposition. Under the wing of Troy Bayliss and team co-owner Ben Henry, Jones is certain to keep progressing in the sport, whether it’s locally or overseas.

2. Daniel Falzon:
With a pair of Supersport titles to his credit in 2013 and 2014, JD Racing’s Daniel Falzon has emerged as a true threat in the Superbike ranks. He’s surrounded by a family-operated team and makes the most of that environment, even challenging the factories on many occasions. Also 22 years of age, Falzon is about at the age where he can start to benefit from a broad amount of experience and it’s only a matter of when for him to win premier class races.

3. Brayden Elliott:
After winning the Australian Supersport Championship last year, Elliott has made a successful transition to Superbike competition in 2016. Armed with the support of Phil Tainton and Shawn Giles in his Suzuki-equipped squad, the 21-year-old has also gained international mileage this season with a number of MotoAmerica races. It’s clear he has what it takes to climb the order further once he contests more Superbike races and he might just be the more immediate future for Suzuki in this country.

4. Troy Guenther:
At just 17, this young Queenslander made an immediate impact in national Supersport racing last year and is now part of the Yamaha Racing Development program. Troy Guenther’s currently eight points out of the series lead with one round remaining, however if he doesn’t claim the number one plate this year then chances are he will sooner, rather than later.

5. Sam Clarke:
Western Australian revelation Sam Clarke has starred in this year’s Australian Supersport Championship and leads the championship aboard his private Kawasaki with Winton still to come. There’s a real spark about the way Clarke, 20, races and we’re tipping many more positive results to come in the future. He’s in the box seat for a championship already in these early stages of his career!

Image: Russell Colvin.

6. Callum Spriggs:
At 22, Cube Racing’s Callum Spriggs has cemented himself as one of Australia’s leading Supersport racers, but hasn’t been able to crack a championship victory just yet. Injuries have hampered him at times and he’s had an inconsistent run so far this year, but you can guarantee that year in, year out, he will be in contention.

7. Luke Mitchell:
The name Luke Mitchell has been on the map for some time now, however it’s been in 2016 that he has made a significant breakthrough in his riding. Still only 20, the R6-mounted rider won his first Supersport overall last time out at Morgan Park and

8. Robbie Menzies:
A relatively late-comer in road racing, now 21 in his rookie Supersport campaign, well-credentialled flat-tracker Robbie Menzies has shown glimpses of raw speed on multiple occasions as part of Cube Racing and with Troy Bayliss mentoring him. Once he irons out any kinks and really applies his increasing experience to his racing, Menzies will work his way to the front of the pack.

9. Mark Chiodo:
Racing a Triumph this year, 18-year-old Mark Chiodo turned heads with an impressive performance at Phillip Island’s opening round in Supersport. He’s not quite as experienced at alternative circuits and injuries have forced him out of a few rounds this year, but you can see the skills he demonstrates and it appears there’s a real desire to win when he’s in the frame to do so.

10. Ted Collins:
Little-known Victorian Ted Collins is part of the quality Next Gen Motorsports team and he’s been really good in his first Supersport season. Only 17, Collins was fifth in Queensland’s most recent round and he’s now sixth in the series points. Keep an eye on him as he continues to learn the ropes at this level.