Mike Jones will depart for his rookie European season today.

Multiple Australian champion ‘Mad’ Mike Jones is packed and ready to take on the world’s best in the European 600 Superstock Championship as a rider for Team Agro On Racedays Honda on a CBR600RR machine.

The UEM European 600 Superstock Championship machines are similar spec to Australian Supersport machines, with more liberal rules to suspension, exhausts system and engine tuning than Australian Superstock.

The European Superstock 600 Championship is part of the World Superbike Championship or SBK, with SSTK 600 rounds at each European round. The races are broadcast in over 30 countries to millions of viewers.

Jones, one of Australia’s fastest and most successful riders in the past four years, departs from Brisbane, Qld, today to his new home in Schwalmtal in the North Stein region of Germany.

Mike will be living and training within five minutes of his new team workshop, ensuring the incredibly dedicated and talented 18-year-old is able to maintain a close relationship with his mechanics and team manager throughout the season.

Speaking from his home in Brisbane on the weekend, Mike was feeling confident and determined as he prepared for his first season in Europe.

“I’ve been training very hard these past months and I’m fitter than I’ve been at the start of any season so far,” Jones said. “I’ve been cycling, high rope course training and riding both off road and a road going CBR600RR on the track to get a feel for the Honda.

“I’ve been paying particular attention to diet and working on building my core strength as well as maintaining my ideal weight. I’m really looking forward to the season. I had two good wildcard rides in the class last year and I feel I can be competitive.

“I see no reason why I can’t get some good strong podiums this year and also win a few races.”

Jones will spend the first four weeks acclimatising to Europe before commencing a testing regime that includes eight testing days in Spain before the first round of the championship kicks off in April at Aragon, Spain.

Throughout the season, Mike will continue to complete his Bachelor Of Business studies specialising in Marketing via correspondence at Central Queensland University.