Image: Supplied.

A critical mistake in starting the 2018 Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours denied the MotoMap Supply Suzuki squad of Josh Waters an opportunity of a higher finish in the Japanese classic.

With rain in the region making for a wet start to the race, MotoMap Supply opted to start the race on slick tyres in a gamble that was taken incase of the circuit quickly drying.

After qualifying 28th as third of the Superstock (SST) entries, the trio of Waters, Nobuatsu Aoki and Yoshihiro Konno had been hopefully of progressing forward in the race. MotoMap Supply did climb to second in class, however delays in the final pit stop dropped them back down the order.

“It was impossible to ride hard in that wet condition with slick tyres,” reigning three-time Australian Superbike champion Waters reflected. “That decision cost us a lot of positions.

“Looking at the constant lap times and the fact that we marked the top time in the SST class, I feel sure we could of have finished in a much higher position. We were not able to achieve any breathtaking results, but I think we prove a point in the potential of the bike.”

In the end it was a fourth-place finish in class for Waters and company, resulting in 23rd overall following an eventful affair on Sunday afternoon.