Josh Waters and Onyabike KW Civil McMartin Racing with K-Tech take third round win in a row in Queensland.

Josh Waters and the Onyabike KW Civil McMartin Racing with K-Tech Team defied history to win round three at Queensland Raceway for round three of the ASBK Championship held over the weekend of 2-4 May.

Queensland Raceway is a unique track, one that has not delivered favourable results for the team in previous years and has always been a happy hunting ground for championship rivals.

As per a normal weekend three practice signalled the start of the weekend on Friday, with another session on Saturday morning before the two-stage qualifying on Saturday afternoon.

Josh and the Onyabike KW Civil McMartin Racing with K-Tech team made sure that the rest of the field were on notice, topping the times from the four practice sessions to fire a warning shot across the bow of the locals who usually dominate on their home turf.

For the second year in a row, and just like in Sydney at the previous round, light rain in the second half of the final qualifying session meant that Josh and the Onyabike KW Civil McMartin Racing with K-Tech team didn’t get the opportunity to attack with a new tyre. On a used tyre Josh and the Ducati V4R still managed to go under the previous best ever lap of Queensland Raceway to secure second place and an important front row grid position.

Josh got a sensational launch off the line to lead the field into turn one with Polesitter Mike Jones right on his tail. Josh and the Onyabike KW Civil McMartin Racing with K-Tech Ducati V4R were unable to break away in the early laps and Jones was able to slide past on lap three and hold the lead for a few laps. Josh was able to repay the favour on lap five and then proceeded to do the unthinkable and pull away from Jones over the next few laps opening up a lead of .9 setting a new lap record on lap eight. Jones retaliated and reduced the gap on lap ten, but Waters responded immediately, extending the lead over the next few laps taking the chequered flag with a comfortable margin to take his first ever Superbike race win at Queensland Raceway.

Race two got underway with threatening clouds on the horizon and the possibility of rain falling during the race. Josh once again got a brilliant launch and led the field through turn one, but Jones responded immediately at turn two to take the lead, Ant West also pushed past Josh a corner later. Josh got the Onyabike KW Civil McMartin Racing with K-Tech Panigale V4R back into second quickly and held that position when the red flag came out due to the heavy showers drenching the track.

Quick adjustments were made to the Onyabike KW Civil McMartin Racing with K-Tech Ducati to adapt to the changed conditions, Pirelli wet weather tyres fitted, suspension and electronic settings adjusted, and the riders were back out on track for an eight-lap race. Josh got a good start and took a few laps to survey the track conditions before picking up the pace and beginning a charge forward. Fifth on lap one, fourth by lap three. Josh moved into third on lap six and held that position to the flag to take a solid points haul and the round victory, his third in a row.

Josh has now extended his championship lead over Jones as the Onyabike KW Civil McMartin Racing with K-Tech team head to the next round at Morgan Park with a thirty-two-point lead

“Overall, another great weekend for me” commented round winner and championship leader, Josh Waters. “I knew leading into the weekend it wasn't going to be easy coming to Queensland Raceway as my championship rivals are so strong at this track. I was able to improve my riding, and the team gave me an amazing package to work with. To win race one and to set a new lap record was awesome, the pace of the race was so fast. Race two started off dry, I felt comfortable sitting in P2 but unfortunately a few laps in the rain came. In the restarted wet race my feeling wasn't great, but I was able to work my way to third which was good enough to secure the overall round win for the weekend. A huge thank you to my team, sponsors and supporters”.

“This was a round we worked hard to improve as historically it's not been one of our best tracks” said Team Owner Craig McMartin. “Adrian, Josh and I spoke a lot about how to improve and it all paid off with the race one win and Josh was comfortable in the second race before the rain started and the race was stopped. In the wet restart Josh did what was needed to finish in front of Mike and had a really successful weekend. Thank you to all the team's hard work over the weekend, their dedication is second to none and all our sponsors, especially Onyabike adventures, KW Civil and Pirelli tyres”.