Phillip Island ASBK Race 2 Results

Waters takes dominant win, Jones turns the tables on West

Josh Waters stormed to a commanding victory in Race 2 at Phillip Island, demonstrating searing pace from lights out to the chequered flag. The McMartin Racing Ducati rider made the perfect start, launching off the line and stretching out an eight-bike length lead before Turn 1, immediately putting the rest of the field on notice.

Anthony West wasn’t willing to let him go without a fight, setting about the chase while Mike Jones engaged in some aggressive early-race moves, muscling past Cameron Dunker to secure fourth place. As Waters controlled proceedings up front, Dunker found himself under increasing pressure from Allerton after dropping back from Jones.

By lap four, the top three were beginning to spread out, with Waters’ Ducati showcasing immense straight-line speed down the main stretch, but West was hanging tough in second, keeping the leader honest. Further back, Dunker managed to fend off Allerton’s advances and started reeling Jones back in.

Sensing the challenge from West, Waters responded in emphatic fashion, setting the fastest lap of the race and extending his lead to over a second. West, in turn, maintained a similar gap over Jones, who was still looking for an opportunity to close in.

By lap seven, Waters was in a league of his own, stretching his advantage to nearly three seconds, while Jones had closed right up onto the back of West and was now shadowing him. Further back, Max Stauffer was closing in on Broc Pearson as the midfield battles began heating up.

Lap eight saw Jones finally make his move, diving past West at Miller corner. West tried to stick with him, but Jones looked increasingly strong, particularly through the final sector. Meanwhile, Dunker and Allerton were engaged in a thrilling back-and-forth contest, swapping positions in an intense scrap.

With two laps to go, West struck back, lunging down the inside of Jones at Turn 4. However, he ran wide, allowing Jones to immediately reclaim the position. Jones looked particularly strong through the final corners, controlling the gap as they approached the final lap.

On the last lap, West remained glued to Jones’ rear tyre but despite his best efforts, he simply couldn’t find a gap, following Jones across the line in his slipstream. Waters, by contrast, cruised to a dominant victory, completing a faultless race from start to finish.

The battle for fourth also delivered high drama, with Pearson executing a last-lap charge to pass both Allerton and Dunker after the pair had spent much of the race slowing each other down in their duel.

For the final race of the round this afternoon West and Jones will be looking for a way to halt Waters momentum. They might need to get off the line better and turn the race into a scrap, as Waters pace in clear air looks untouchable.

Fastest lap: Josh WATERS – 1:31.318