Monster Energy Yamaha’s Gareth Jones flew the Aussie flag in top form with two second places at Zolder.

Australia’s Damian Cudlin and Gareth Jones delivered standout performances at the weekend’s second round of the German IDM Superbike Championship at the Zolder Circuit in Belgium.

Following his double win at the Lausitzring at round one, Cudlin came to the event as a clear championship favourite aboard his RAC Racing BMW, with countryman Jones a genuine podium contender aboard the Monster Energy Yamaha R1.

Inclement weather played havoc with the opening qualifying session, with the first riders on track afforded a chance to set a lap in the dry before rain regulated the pace.

Jones was a solid third-fastest, just 0.166 seconds off the pace of Cudlin’s teammate Kevin Valk. Cudlin, meanwhile, was caught out by the conditions and could only manage 13th place.

Though the rain held off for the second qualifier, the track was still damp and the pace was still some seconds away from morning running, with just four of the 22 riders in the field able to make up time in the afternoon.

The rain returned for the opening race, which Valk led from the line before crashing out after just three laps.

Jones took over the lead, but could do little to stop the storming Cudlin taking control. The Aussie pairing were passed by the BMW-mounted Erwan Nigon before he too crashed out from the front of the race, handing the top two places on the podium back to Cudlin and Jones.

“I had a very good start in the first race,” said Cudlin. “Nigon was ahead of me and I could see he was pushing the limits, and I was also able to watch Gareth.

“I didn’t want to take any big risks, and when Nigon crashed, I was able to take back first position.”

The second Superbike race was declared wet as rain loomed, though it created a variety of challenges as riders had to gamble on a setup to suit.

Rookie Markus Reiterberger rolled the dice and took the win, with his setup working the best in what would eventually be a dry race.

Jones was ultra-consistent and delivered another second place finish, with Cudlin collecting good points for sixth place.

Jones was pleased to come away with a top result and the most points of any rider after the second round.

“My Yamaha was fantastic and I’m really becoming more confident,” said Jones. “I’m coming up to speed at just the right time.

“In the second race I really tried to push Markus into making a mistake but it didn’t work.

“But overall I came away from the weekend with the most points of any rider which I can be happy with.”

Three wins from four starts mean Cudlin is still well in control of the class, leading Reiterberger by a 22-point margin. Jones’ pair of second-place finishes elevate him to third overall, and just a single point shy of Reiterberger.

The third Aussie in the field, Alex Phillis, piloted his Weber-Diener Racing Team Superstock Kawasaki to 14th and 18th place finishes in race one and two respectively – fifth and sixth in class.

Supersport race wins went to Leon Bovee and Wim van den Broeck, with Australia’s Jed Metcher racing to ninth in the opener before a commendable second in race two.

The next round of the German IDM Superbike Championship will be held at Oschersleben from 14-16 June.

2013 IDM Superbike Championship
Round two – Zolder, Belgium
Superbike/Superstock race one:
1. Damian Cudlin
2. Gareth Jones
3. Michael Ranseder
4. Arie Vos
5. Freddy Foray
6. Markus Reiterberger
7. Bastien Mackels
8. Stefan Nebel
9. Lucy Glockner
10. Daniel Sutter

Superbike/Superstock race two:
1. Markus Reiterberger
2. Gareth Jones
3. Kevin Valk
4. Michael Ranseder
5. Damian Cudlin
6. Arie Vos
7. Freddy Foray
8. Bastien Mackels
9. Stefan Nebel
10. Lucy Glockner
18. Alex Phillis (Aus)

Superbike/Superstock Championship Standings (after two of seven rounds):
1. Damian Cudlin 86
2. Markus Reiterberger 64
3. Gareth Jones 63
4. Erwan Nigon 44
5. Kevin Valk 38
6. Freddy Foray 37
7. Stefan Nebel 36
8. Arie Vos 35
9. Michael Ranseder 29
10. Roland Resch 27

Click here for detailed results