Image: Russell Colvin.

In his first competitive outing onboard the Boost Mobile Racing with K-Tech Ducati, Josh Waters has won an intense opening Superbike support class race at the 2022 Australian MotoGP with just 0.009s covering himself and Cru Halliday across the line.

From P2 on the grid Waters was third at the conclusion of lap one, behind Bryan Staring (DesmoSport Ducati) who launched from P4 to take the early lead as pole-setter Cru Halliday (Yamaha Racing Team) slotted into second.

The number 21 elevated from third to first on the second lap and stretched his lead out to roughly one second by mid-race distance. However, once Halliday found his way past Staring he began to reel in V4 R rider and was able retake the lead with two laps to go.

At the front on the last lap, Halliday managed to stretch out a quarter of a second advantage, but Waters retook the lead when it counted to take the chequered flag first, marking an impressive debut with the team as he fills in for Wayne Maxwell.

Mike Jones (Yamaha Racing Team) was able to overcome Staring on lap six to finish third, one second from the lead, as Penrite Honda Racing’s Troy Herfoss completed the bout 7.4s behind the number 67 in fifth.

P6 was Jed Metcher (727 Moto), ahead of Alastair Hoogenboezem (Addicted to Track Yamaha), Peter Berry (Suzuki), Dennis Bech (Ducati) and Gary Tidd (Ducati) who completed the top 10.

Unfortunately, DesmoSport Ducati’s Broc Pearson crashed out of the race on lap six, with the fastest lap going to Halliday courtesy of a 1m32.844s.

In the first Oceania Junior Cup (OJC) bout this afternoon, the top five were covered by less than a second as Ryan Larkin took the spoils ahead of Levi Russo, Cameron Rende, Harrison Watts and Hudson Thompson.

Detailed results