Veterans Josh Waters and Anthony West were the stars of a challenging round six of the 2025 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK) at Phillip Island on September 7.

Waters (McMartin Racing Ducati) and West (Addicted to Track Yamaha) shared victories in the two 11-lap races, the first one held on a wet circuit before conditions cleared in the afternoon as West broke through for his first win in the SW-Motech Superbike class – one day after also setting his maiden pole position.

Broc Pearson (DesmoSport Ducati) was also mightily impressive at Phillip Island, with his 2-3 scorecard securing third overall.

With Waters’ main championship rival Mike Jones (Yamaha Racing Team) unable to produce his normal front-running deeds, Waters has now extended his lead in the championship to 69pts (306 to 237) with two rounds remaining. West (234pts) is circling in third position ahead of round seven at One Raceway in Goulburn from October 3-5.

“That was a wild day, and in race two a lot of the other riders had nothing to lose, while I have a lot on my mind in terms of the championship,” said Waters. “I was getting carved up like a Sunday roast, but I was happy with the result and I’d like to thank my team and all of our sponsors for their support.”

Meanwhile, it was all about pure adulation for West.

“I don’t remember too much about race two, as there was just so much going on,” he said. “But some of the young guys were making me angry, which really fired me up to get the job done.

“This weekend has been awesome on so many levels.”

For Phillip Island results and updated championship standings, click here.

Round six of the Australian Superbike Championship is supported by the Victorian Government via its Significant Sporting Events Program.

SW-Motech Superbike race one

It was a just-in-time final salvo from Waters, who won his ninth SW-Motech Superbike race of an extraordinarily impressive season after passing long-time leader Pearson on the final blast down Gardner Straight. The final margin was 0.094 seconds after 11 laps on the sodden Phillip Island layout.

“I had so many moments in that race – I would have liked Broc to have slowed down!” said Waters.

Glenn Allerton – grimacing with an injured back which saw him sit out qualifying – was a brilliant third on his Superbike Advocates Racing Ducati after starting from the back of the grid.

West was fourth from Jones, Jonathan Nahlous (Omega Racing Team Yamaha), Oscar O’Donovan (Scott’s Motorcycles Kawasaki) in a stunning ASBK debut, and Ryan Yanko (Addicted to Track Yamaha).

Troy Herfoss (Yamaha Racing Team) didn’t make the start after a crash on his out lap – suffering a minor injury which was enough to end his day before it really got started – while others to get caught out in the slick conditions included Max Stauffer (Yamaha), Jack Favelle (Addicted to Track Yamaha), Cru Halliday (Stop and Seal Ducati) and Ty Lynch (Yamaha).

Thirteen of the 18 riders made the distance.

SW-Motech Superbike race two

Race two was held on a drying track, with all riders fitting slick tyres – which made for a cautious opening before the intensity was dialled up as more dry lines appeared.

The race eventually boiled down to a five-rider arm wrestle between West, Waters, Pearson, Nahlous and Halliday, with Pearson spending most time at the front.

However, on the penultimate lap West made a decisive move to hit the lead, and then pinned his ears back over the final 4.448km to win his first Superbike race in his 61st start.

Meanwhile, Waters roared past Pearson at the death knell for the second time in as many races, with the duo finishing second and third ahead of Halliday, Nahlous, Jack Favelle (Addicted to Track Yamaha), Jones, Cameron Dunker (MotoGo Yamaha), Stauffer and Allerton.

Allerton (190pts) remains fourth in the standings, but now has the in-form Pearson (185pts) on his hammer. Dunker is on 175pts.