Former Australian Supersport Champion Shannon Johnson has spoken about his superb second place podium finish on debut with Demolition Plus GAS Honda Racing at Phillip Island in the Superbike support category at last weekend’s Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

The Victorian, who usually rides for the KTM Superbike Team, traded his RC8R for the Honda CBR1000RR of Wayne Maxwell for the event, going on to win a race and seal second overall for the weekend as Maxwell focussed on Moto2 duties.

“A few words come to mind when I reflect on this weekend, amazing is one of them,” Johnson said. “It is amazing to think just on two weeks ago I was left without a ride at the Phillip Island Grand Prix, to then be a race winner once again is a nice feeling.

“Naturally the team and I were over the moon, it was great to have mum, dad and friends there also – it was also very important for me to be able to reward my personal sponsors for showing me incredible support.”

Johnson will now return to KTM for the Australian Superbike Championship season finale to be held at Symmons Plains in Tasmania next month, hoping for a good result to end the season.

“[Thanks] to the ESG KTM SBK Team for allowing me to take the ride with a rival team and not hold me back, now I have to try replicate these results at the upcoming final round of SBK in a few weeks time,” Johnson concluded.