Image: Foremost Media.

An untimely opening lap fall in race one at Phillip Island has left defending Mi-Bike Australian Superbike champion Wayne Maxwell in an all or nothing position as the 2022 series reaches its final stages.

Three-time ASBK champion Maxwell entered today 29 points behind runaway leader Mike Jones (Yamaha Racing Team), but is now back to 40 in arrears – as he was prior to Morgan Park – with just four races left in the season.

Maxwell crashed at turn two in wet conditions at the beginning of the race won by Bryan Staring (DesmoSport Ducati), who in turn moved by Maxwell in the points to P2. However, it’s only an elusive fourth title that matters to Maxwell, left frustrated after title rival Jones could only manage 10th position today.

“I was on the trailing throttle, maybe beginning to open and the rear just came straight around,” Maxwell recalled. “It’s unfortunate, I feel really sorry for my guys… it’s part of it. We need to make amends for it tomorrow.

“Looking where Mike ended up and the speed he had, it was a real opportunity for us to capitalise on some points. But you know, we’ll come out tomorrow and fight again. If you’re not first, you’re last. I have no money – no anything – on the line, I’m doing it for anything but pride. Unless we’re first, second or third doesn’t really matter.”

Maxwell is set to retire following The Bend Motorsport Park’s final round next Sunday in South Australia, determined to go out on top despite what is becoming a tall order with time running out on both the season and his two-decade career at a national level.