Image: Keith Muir.

Team Honda Racing’s Jamie Stauffer remains in the Swann Insurance Australasian Superbike Championship title hunt after racing through the pain of a freshly broken ankle during last weekend’s Winton round.

Stauffer broke his left ankle at the annual Suzuka 8 Hours in Japan a week prior to Winton, but managed to salvage 44 points in seventh overall – losing just 25 points to new series leader Wayne Maxwell in the process.

The multiple-time national Superbike and Supersport champion also benefited from having RACESAFE Medical Team chief physiotherapist Mark Brackway by his side throughout the round.

“I had a difficult weekend with my injury and really had to work hard to gain as many points as I could,” Stauffer reflected. “The injury to my left ankle made it extremely difficult for me to maneuver on the bike so it was a challenge.

“I could not have done it at all without the incredible support from RACESAFE Australia and in particular, Mark Backway, who was there throughout the weekend to assist the team, including myself. I would like to thank Mark for his help especially [Sunday].”

With just two rounds remaining in the 2014 season, Stauffer is now second in the standings, 14 points in arrears of Team Motul Honda’s Maxwell