Rookie Jones hoping for more MotoGP outings

The Aussie inked a deal to make his MotoGP debut as a replacement rider for Hector Barbera at Avintia for the Japanese GP, while Barbera was called up for factory Ducati squad to replace Andrea Iannone.

With Iannone not recovering in time for Phillip Island, the deal was extended to include Jones’s home race. And the reigning Australian Superbike Champion grabbed the opportunity with both hands, backing up his 18th from Motegi with a point-scoring 15th place finish at Phillip Island.

His immediate MotoGP future is now a little uncertain. With Iannone expected to return for Malaysia this weekend, Jones may well be up for a ride. If Iannone doesn’t make it back, however, Jones reckons he’s done enough to warrant another go at Sepang.

“It all depends on Andrea, and whether he returns to the factory team,” he said. “I think at this stage it’s likely that he will, so things will revert to normal, but in the case that he doesn’t then there is potential for me to continue on with the team.

“I think that’s through the approach that I’ve taken. I’ve kept them happy. If there is the option there, there is the potential for me to ride the bike again.”

No harm to young career

Regardless of whether or not he races in Malaysia, Jones says his brief stint in MotoGP has been a genuine boost to his career. He’s enjoyed two clean outings, prioritising a mature approach over Hollywood laptimes, which paid dividends with that World Championship point at his home race.

“It’s not doing my career any harm being here [in MotoGP] and doing the things that I’m doing,” he added.

“Like I said, it’s mostly the approach that I’m taking that’s keeping the people who are organising this thing quite happy. You know, I’m just trying to be steady and work my way into it. And when things feel comfortable, that’s when my laptimes will be there.

“But it’s not easy to get comfortable on one of these bikes in a short amount of time. These motorbikes are the most powerful and fastest road racing motorbikes there are, so it’s not easy to get your head around.”