Mike Jones reflects on Motegi MotoGP experience

Mike Jones will stay on with Avintia Ducati to contest the Australian MotoGP event at Phillip Island

Mike Jones made the most of his last-minute opportunity to replace Hector Barbera at the Motegi MotoGP, finished his first race in MotoGP.

The 22-year-old Australian got 18th place and was really happy with the experience he had in Motegi. “Mad Mike” will ride Barbera’s bike at his home race in Phillip Island.

Mike Jones – P18

“I’m very happy and I can’t believe the experience of finishing my first ever MotoGP race. It was fantastic to be part of the Avintia Racing Ducati team this weekend.

“They worked so hard to help me learn so much, but definitely I gained more experience through the race. My start wasn’t very good.

“We tried a practice start in the warm-up this morning and I felt really, really good, but we changed the clutch for the race and when I went to do the race start it felt different, so I really struggled with the start.

“Once I got going, I tried to follow the guys in front of me, but I had a few small problems and I couldn’t get the bike stopped like in qualifying.

“But I just wanted to finish the race, no matter how, and I did it.