Mike Jones reflects on the triumphs and tribulatio...

Mike Jones

ASBK 2025 Runner-Up
Interview

Mike Jones has lengthy been one of many benchmark riders in Australian Superbike racing, and 2025 was no exception.

Because the closest challenger to Josh Waters all through the season, Jones was the one rider capable of constantly keep inside placing distance of the eventual champion and saved the stress on the McMartin Ducati powerhouse all through.

We sat down with Jones to unpack the season that was: the place the breakthroughs got here, the place the frustrations crept in, how the staff developed, what he discovered, and what must occur subsequent if he’s so as to add to his championship-winning tally in 2026…

The Season in Assessment

MCNews: How do you mirror in your 2025 season general? Did it unfold the way in which you anticipated?

Mike Jones: “It was a blended season of highs and lows, however general, I didn’t meet my expectations. I needed to win extra races and win the championship.”

MCNews: How glad are you with the 12 months as a complete?

Jones: “I’m principally glad with the 12 months as a complete, it was pleasant, difficult and rewarding at instances.”

MCNews: Was there a selected spherical or second the place you felt your momentum actually began to construct?

Jones: “Probably not, the one spherical I made progress by way of championship factors was Spherical Seven at One Raceway.”

MCNews: Conversely, what was probably the most vital setback or problem you confronted through the season?

Jones: “A DNF in race one at Round Four at Morgan Park Raceway was the largest setback, and the moist races have been the largest challenges.”

Chasing Josh Waters

MCNews: What was it about Josh and the Ducati that made him so powerful to beat?

Jones: “The acceleration off the turns.”

MCNews: Had been there areas the place you felt you may match him, and areas the place he merely had the sting?

Jones: “I felt stronger in every single place, besides after we each rolled the throttle to 100 per cent.”

MCNews: Is there a second you look again on now and assume, ‘That’s the place the title slipped away?’

Jones: “On the completion of Spherical Three at Queensland Raceway, I wanted to win that weekend to maintain some stress on Josh, but it surely didn’t occur.”

MCNews: Did your method to racing him change all through the season?

Jones: “No, my method to using and racing remained the identical, which is to extract probably the most from myself.”

Group & Technical Analysis

MCNews: How did the staff evolve this 12 months, each technically and operationally?

Jones: “So far as I’m conscious, the important operation of the staff remained the identical, and technically the bike had an up to date Ohlins rear shock.”

MCNews: Was there a breakthrough setup or change that basically improved your confidence on the bike?

Jones: “Probably not a breakthrough as such, however we developed the rear shock at every circuit, which helped to enhance outright traction and tyre life.”

MCNews: What a part of the package deal (engine, chassis, electronics, tyres) did you imagine was your strongest asset this season?

Jones: “The chassis, as a result of it allowed me to have an intimate feeling for traction, crucial for using on the restrict.”

MCNews: And what half nonetheless wants probably the most work going into 2026?

Jones: “The electronics might present marginal features, principally to create extra consistency because it reduces the necessity for rider ability.”

Racecraft, Driving Type & Private Development

MCNews: What side of your using do you assume improved probably the most this 12 months?

Jones: “My potential to really feel for traction.”

MCNews: Is there something about your using model you needed to regulate mid-season to remain aggressive?

Jones: “Probably not, I really feel as if I’m regularly refining my using expertise slightly than making an adjustment as such.”

MCNews: Was there a selected battle or race this 12 months that stands out as your finest?

Jones: “Profitable the ultimate race on the ultimate spherical at The Bend was a pleasant method to end the 12 months.”

Stress & Expectations

MCNews: Was there ever some extent the place the title felt actually inside attain?

Jones: “Sure, the title was all the time actually inside attain till it wasn’t on the ultimate spherical.”

MCNews: What’s the toughest half mentally about being the closest challenger however not fairly taking the crown?

Jones: “Understanding your finest effort wasn’t sufficient.”

Rivalries, Respect & the Discipline

MCNews: Except for Josh, who pushed you the toughest?

Jones: “Ant West, Cam Dunker and JJ Nahlous.”

MCNews: Was there a rider whose tempo or development genuinely shocked you this season?

Jones: “Westy at Phillip Island.”

MCNews: How would you describe the extent of competitors in ASBK proper now in comparison with earlier years?

Jones: “I feel the extent is as excessive because it’s ever been.”

Trying Forward to 2026

MCNews: Is there a particular weak spot you’re concentrating on for enchancment through the low season?

Jones: “Moist climate using.”

MCNews: Do you imagine the title is inside attain for 2026?

Jones: “Sure.”

MCNews: What excites you most about subsequent season?

Jones: “Profitable.”

And only a previous couple of…

MCNews: For those who might redo one race weekend from 2025, which one would it not be and why?

Jones: “Spherical 4 at Morgan Park Raceway as a result of theoretically, had I gained race one, the factors hole to Josh would’ve been 30 factors much less.”

MCNews: Who in your staff deserves extra credit score than they get?

Jones: “My crew chief, Dyllan.”

MCNews:  What’s one of the best factor you probably did this 12 months off the bike that helped on the bike?

Jones: “Respiratory.”

MCNews: What’s a query you want extra folks requested you about your racing?

Jones: “How’s the observe?”

The lady behind the person…
Christie Turnbull

MCNews: Christie, you will have been with Mike for some years now. What’s one thing about Mike that these of us within the racing group is perhaps most shocked by? Properly, one you can share with us not less than?

Christie: “Mike is a little bit of a pure in terms of sport; he can just about do effectively in something he has a go at. We went to Canada final 12 months, and I attempted to show him snowboarding… I lastly discovered a sport that he doesn’t decide up rapidly! He spent plenty of time laying on the snow slightly than flying down the mountain. He did, nonetheless, give snowboarding a go and was a professional by the top of the journey.”

MCNews: We all know Mike has you coated on the bike entrance, however is it a better run affair on the bicycle? Do you make him sweat on the mountain bike?

Christie: “Haha, I need to admit he’s sooner than me on the mountain bike, however I can positively make him sweat within the endurance class! I might all the time join the longer distance races just like the 100km Hidden Vale Epic, and he would do the 50km or dash races.”

MCNews: However what concerning the golf course…?

Christie: “That’s really how we started speaking to one another all these years in the past. He requested me if I might educate him tips on how to play golf. I feel I taught him too effectively! He has an ideal drive off the tee, however I can definitely win the rounds with my chipping and placing.”

MCNews: Is there a method you assist Mike reset mentally after a troublesome weekend or crash?

Christie: “Mike is superb at resetting after a troublesome race weekend with out a lot assist. He all the time manages to have a smile on his face and is laughing together with his staff within the Yamaha truck after every race, whether or not it was an ideal or powerful race. The day after each race weekend, Mike has a practice to rewatch the races along with the household.”

MCNews: What would you say to somebody getting into a relationship with an expert racer for the primary time?

Christie: “Maintain onto your hat, you’re in for a experience! The guts thumping and nerves don’t go away; in reality, I feel it has gotten worse for me over time. Haha, in all seriousness, the paddock turns right into a second household. It’s very nice seeing everybody on race weekends. One in every of my favorite components of the weekends is the staff dinners with the Yamaha Racing Group, and when Mike was racing for Desmosport Ducati, a number of laughing, which is all the time good earlier than race day.”

MCNews: Are there moments in Mike’s profession that you just really feel significantly pleased with, even when they went largely unnoticed?

Christie: “I keep in mind Mike telling me that he raced his pocket bike 50 out of 52 weekends one 12 months when he was a child. That degree of dedication, self-discipline and dedication at such a younger age is inspiring. It reveals how a lot he loves the game. Additionally, there was a time when Mike, his dad, Chris and brother Tony have been in a privateer superbike race staff collectively on a Kawasaki, and I all the time thought that was particular. Additionally, he raced in opposition to Rossi in two MotoGP wildcards! My all-time favorite race of Mikes to date is the final race of 2022 at The Bend.”

Mike Jones leaves the 2025 season with a mix of pleasure and unfinished enterprise. He proved as soon as once more that he has the pace, racecraft and resilience to problem for championships, and with the hole to Waters narrowing at key moments, the indicators level to a different fierce marketing campaign in 2026.

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