Burgess in action at Eastern Creek

Australian Superbikes have a history of creating upcoming champions from withing a variety of cetegories and the Superstock classes are quickly becoming known as the classes to be in for future ASBK stars.

MotoOnline.com.au catches up with Superstock 1000 rider Jordan Burgess, who sits seconds in the national championship points while also winning the opening round of the Superstock Triple Challenge Cup at Eastern Creek.

You won the opening round of the Superstock Triple Challenge Cup at Eastern Creek. How was it to be in with the Superbikes?

It was a good experience being with the Superbike field, especially at the other end of the pack from what I am used to running, which in my opinion was cool because you really get to battle in the first few laps for your position and dice with riders that aren’t scared of going bar to bar with you – which I love!

The concept is a good way to boost the grid in the Superbike class, but what are the bonuses for you as a rider?

You can learn a lot from riding with these guys, being out there with them gives you a first hand view of how the Superbike guys operate in regards to lines and tactics and also how hungry you must be if you want to be a top class rider. The races are a little longer but that suits me.

It also gives you a gauge of comparison for how different the Superbikes are from the Superstock bikes, mainly with engine and tyre differences the main things. The characteristics of the slick tyres allow the Superbikes to carry more corner speed and back on the gas earlier than us Superstockers.

You and your bike would have won the Iron Man award for being on track the most at the Creek if one existed, but are there any disadvantages in your eyes to be riding in both the Superbike and Superstock 1000 classes?

Yes, there definitely is in some ways. Physical preparation is important before any race and doing both classes meant that I had to race two Superbike races followed by my last Superstock race literally 20 minutes after. I waited in impound for 10 minutes of that and then tried to pump myself with as much fluid as I could, while also mentally preparing before the Superstock race – which tactically is different. So yeah, it’s a big effort both mentally and physically but you see Jamie [Stauffer] doing it with the Supersport and Superbike and going great in both. I figure why can’t I do the same!

Is it something that makes you more excited to be in the Superbike class in the future on a full-spec bike? It’s kind of like a teaser to be in there on a Superstock bike right now, isn’t it?

Definitely Al, I cannot wait to get on a full spec Superbike and take it to these guys! I am loving being on the bigger bikes this year and I am out to prove myself a worthy contender in this championship and hopefully find myself on the seat of a Superbike next year with any luck.

Now looking at the Superstock 1000 championship class, it’s heating up too. How has that series been going for you after stepping up from the 600?

It’s been a great step up this year for me and I am happy so far with how things have panned out. I am really happy with the bike and I am learning more and more every time I get on the bike, which is important and this can be seen in my results so far for the season. I think I suit the 1000s better than the 600s because I am able to muscle the bikes around a bit more and have a hell of a lot more fun with the added horsepower! That aside, my bike is competitive and I have the confidence in the machinery I am on to be able to focus on my racing and learning my race craft as I really want to race in Superbikes next year

Yourself, Pat Medcalf and Beau Beaton have been the class of the field to date, and you’re really starting to challenge Medcalf now. What will you be happy with for the remainder of the year?

I am not going to lie, I am out to win the last two rounds and prove myself as a smart and tough rider in the series who has what it takes. I never give up and even though Medcalf consolidated a gap in the STK 1000 championship on me, I am out to turn things around in the final rounds.

Alright, well good luck with that and we’ll see you at Mallala.