Image: Keith Muir.

Top of the privateers in qualifying and race one at Phillip Island, Mitch Levy is looking to build upon his early form in a bid to establish himself among the sport’s elite in the YMF Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) presented by Motul Pirelli.

ATR/Landbridge Transport Yamaha’s Levy came into the opener under the radar in comparison to fellow rookies in the premier class, however he qualified ninth on Friday and improved to seventh in race two – pressuring experienced Superbike duo Robbie Bugden and Cru Halliday for position.

“It was a good first race on the Superbike,” Levy reflected. “I was a bit disappointed with the first lap, just not aggressive enough and a bit inexperienced, but I settled into the race. I could’ve pushed a bit harder, but I didn’t want to throw it away and I did what I thought was sensible. It was good to bring it home.”

“The team’s unreal, everybody’s working really well together and the bike is handling well. There’s no pressure, so it’s definitely working for us. There’s still a lot we can do to improve myself and the bike further on in the year, so you want to be the top rookie, of course.

“It’s a really expensive sport, so I sort of want to make a name for myself this year and show that I’m worthy of a factory ride. I want to try get myself on a seat next year, which I’m sure everyone else is in the same mind-set, but yeah – that’s the goal.”

Levy emerged as one of the country’s top rising talents last year in the Australasian Supersport Championship, finishing second in the standings with multiple wins to his credit. He also won the Sydney round of ASBK in a one-off appearance.