DesmoSport Ducati press release:

Defending Australian Superbike Champion Mike Jones will revisit a happy hunting ground this weekend when round four of the 2016 Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) takes place at Barbagallo Raceway in Western Australia.

Now part of the high-profile DesmoSport Ducati team owned by triple World Superbike Champion Troy Bayliss and Western Australian local Ben Henry, Jones carries major expectations into one of his favourite events on the schedule.

Following a positive test session in WA last weekend aboard the flawless factory-supported 1299 Panigale S and with free practice commencing today, Jones will have momentum on his side when the event officially opens on Friday. He claimed pole and swept both race wins last year at Barbagallo.

“Obviously I had a good result at Barbagallo Raceway last year,” Jones explained. “However, now I’m really excited to be racing here again, but this time on the 1299 Panigale S with the DesmoSport Ducati team.

“I’m very excited as its coming into the back part of the year and the team and I have made a lot of progress with the bike. I’m starting to feel really comfortable on the Ducati, so I believe we are in for some good results.

“We tested at Barbagallo last Saturday, which was really good to get in ahead of round four. We basically just refined the Ohlins suspension and geometry, which were the main things we worked on with the Ducati 1299 Panigale S. We are more or less in the ball park, so with a bit more practice today and Friday we should be able to move forward.”

Jones enters the Barbagallo Raceway weekend fourth in the championship standings halfway into the season, coming off a well-earned third-place podium at Sydney Motorsport Park’s most recent round in April.

Western Australian fans will have the opportunity to meet Jones pre-race alongside a host of top-line ASBK contenders at The Breakwater on Hillarys Boat Harbour this Thursday, 2 June from 5:30pm.

The 2016 Australian Superbike Championship will continue at Barbagallo Raceway in Western Australia from 3-5 June. Visit www.asbk.com.au for further information on upcoming rounds.