Lewis braced for title battle | Canterbury Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Canterbury

Rangiora's Jake Lewis has a stranglehold on the national 600cc superstock title after three of five rounds in the NZ Superbike Championships, but he's taking nothing for granted.

With two rounds still to come, both in the North Island, the Yamaha ace knows he must remain focussed and concentrated if he is to make it two national titles in a row.

He won the 125GP title last season but is now racing the more powerful 600cc Yamaha R6 and is locked in a fierce battle for this year's glory with experienced 600cc campaigners Daniel Ornsby of Christchurch and Timaru's Johnny Small.

The 16-year-old, who leaves in April to race the whole European Junior Cup series, has been in scintillating form this summer. He had back-to-back wins at the opening round at Ruapuna at the start of the month.

He repeated the winning dose at Levels Raceway a week later, and then he finished first and fourth in his two 600 superstock outings at round three at Teretonga last weekend.

His fourth placing in the day's second rain-drenched 600cc race at Teretonga highlights the maturity of the teenage rising star.

With visibility virtually nil as a haze of water blasted from the rear wheels of the bikes in front of him, Lewis opted to ride cautiously and protect his championship position.

"It was certainly tough racing when you can't see where you're going," he said. "I knew I just had to be sensible and keep my points lead.

"I definitely didn't think I'd be going this fast this season, my first on a 600. But Grant Ramage and my dad have been fantastic help and it's all worked out really well."

Lewis will have bigger fish to fry in the coming months as he packs for Europe in April, not expecting to return until October.

He and former champion roadracer father Rob Lewis have confirmed that they will contest the full European Junior Cup later this season.

Last season Lewis raced in two rounds of the series. He finished on the podium in France. This year the EJC will be held over eight rounds and each will share the programme with a round of the World Superbike Championships.