Image: Foremost Media.

Queensland’s John Lytras will defend his national Supersport crown in the upcoming Mi-Bike Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK), set to remain Yamaha R6 mounted in a bid to make it back-to-back titles.

Lytras, 18, delivered when it counted to win his first national 600 title last year, taking four wins and multiple podium finishes on his way to ultimately securing the crown in the final race of the 2022 season at The Bend.

With a list of championship contenders remaining in the intermediate class for 2023 and a host of hungry talent stepping up from the Supersport 300 ranks, securing a second consecutive title will be no easy feat for the teenager, however, he is motivated by the challenge that lies ahead.

“This year is going to be just as tough as any year, probably tougher,” Lytras said to CycleOnline. “There’s a lot of quick kids coming through and there are a lot of strong riders that are already in it.

“I’m going to do my best again this year, try and back it up again, and if we can it would be really good. It’s the same mindset as every year, you have got to go into it… everyone is there to win, and we are the same.”

With Lytras successful in claiming a 600 title already, the question naturally surfaces if a planned premier class step is on the cards, especially if he is able to win consecutive championships this season.

“That would be the plan, I can’t see any other way to do it unless I can win another one, I need to win another one to even have the support to do it,” Lytras added.

Lytras’ first hit out in 2023 will come at the St George Summer Night Series races this Friday and Saturday at Sydney Motorsport Park (SMSP), with the Yamaha talent also confirming that he will run the number one plate this year as he defends the Australian Supersport crown.