DesmoSport Ducati press release:

DesmoSport Ducati’s reigning Australian Superbike Champion Mike Jones has qualified fifth for Sunday’s second round of the 2016 season at Wakefield Park in New South Wales.

Jones has progressively been improving throughout the weekend on the factory-supported 1299 Panigale S, lapping the 2.2-kilometre Goulburn circuit in 58.056s during this afternoon’s Pirelli Superpole session. That time was 0.706s off the pole.

“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.”

Earlier today, DesmoSport Ducati co-owner and triple WorldSBK champion Troy Bayliss thrilled a few lucky fans of the Australian Superbike Championship with the two-up ride of a lifetime aboard his personalised 1299 Panigale S.

The ASBK’s premier Superbike category will contest a pair of championship races on Sunday at Wakefield Park, the first of the two 16-lap races scheduled to take off at 11:55am local time. Visit www.asbk.com.au for further event details.