Source: Supplied.

Multiple Australian Superbike Champion Josh Waters displayed improved form at the Assen round of the British Superbike Championship after a troublesome year on board the factory-backed GSX-R1000.

Waters started the opening race from 12th on the grid and was tagged onto the battle for the top 10. With an improved feeling and strong pace, the potential was there for a strong result, but unfortunately he got caught up in an on-track battle and crossed the line in 15th.

The tricky conditions saw the field bunched-up in the opening laps of race two, with positions exchanged at nearly every corner. Waters was again amongst the battle for the top 10 and finished inside the points in 14th place, but feels there was the chance of stronger results and is looking for more at Silverstone.

“Our pace was a lot better this weekend and better than the results showed,” Waters said. “We just got caught up at the wrong times in the wrong places, but that’s the nature of BSB and why it’s such a good championship.

“The lap times we could run were a lot better and the feeling from my GSX-R1000 was improved this weekend. Everyone in the team has worked hard, so hopefully we can take the things we’ve tried here at Assen and build on them further at Silverstone.”

Team owner Martin Halsall added: “Josh has been a bit unlucky this weekend with his results. He had a good Friday and his grid spot for the second race showed the pace that was there this weekend.

“He’s had two dogfights typical of BSB this season, but unfortunately has been at the back of those at the wrong point in each race, so I don’t think the results reflect the potential that was there for him this weekend. But we’ll again take the positives, and look to improve the GSX-R1000 for him again at Silverstone.”

Waters sits 23rd in the British Superbike Championship point standings with two rounds remaining; the next at Silverstone on 2-4 October.