Image: Russell Colvin.

DesmoSport Ducati’s Mike Jones will aim to improve his outright pace for Sunday’s second round of the 2016 YMF Australian Superbike Championship at Wakefield Park.

The defending champion has been clawing his way up the order on the factory-supported Panigale at Wakefield Park, qualifying fifth following Superpole this afternoon.

It’s taken time for 22-year-old Jones to find 100 percent comfort on the brand new Ducati at the tight and technical Goulburn venue, however he’s certain that overnight it’s possible to find the speed to challenge in the front group tomorrow.

“We’ve been working with the DesmoSport Ducati team to refine the settings on the 1299 Panigale S around here, because it’s a lot different to Phillip Island, and we’re making great steps forward so I’m really happy about that,” Jones commented.

“To finish Superpole fifth is positive. Hopefully after thinking about it tonight we can make more progress, I can think about some things to improve within myself as well, and we can be up there with the front group in the races.

“Pace over consecutive laps is not so bad. I can do reasonably consistent laptimes and the bike seems to be using its Pirelli tyres really good. I’m confident that over race distance we’ll be even more competitive, so look forward to tomorrow.”

The 58.056s laptime of Jones set during this afternoon’s Pirelli Superpole session saw him 0.706s off the pole time, but potentially closer over the course of the 16-lap race distance.