Superbike, Pirelli Riviera di Rimini Round, Race1: daring victory for Tom Sykes

Everything happens at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli where the first race of the seventh round of the season has just concluded: 21 hard-fought laps in which there were never any shortage of twists and turns, but they were decided in the last two laps.

Tom Sykes wins, taking another satisfaction after the record on pole, benefiting from the incredible crashes of first Marco Melandri, then Chaz Davies who also brings Jonathan Rea with him: with three laps to go the Kawasaki rider was in fourth.
Bad fall for the Welsh Ducati rider who suddenly saw his front end close at the Del Carro curve while he was in the lead, when there were really only a few laps left until the checkered flag.
Unfortunately, Jonathan Rea, who was following him closely, could do nothing to avoid a very violent impact on his back/neck: Davies got up but currently, after initial assistance at the circuit's medical centre, he was transported to Rimini hospital for checks, given that chest trauma is suspected.
Obviously everyone's thought, as Jonathan Rea and Tom Sykes said in interviews after the podium, is that Chaz is fine and can get straight back on the bike tomorrow for the battle in Race 2.

No physical consequences however for Marco Melandri, who also fell victim to a fall with three laps to go while battling with Rea: a home race truly to be forgotten for Aruba Racing Ducati who saw a possible one-two finish in the most bitter of ways .

After the impact Jonathan Rea managed to get back on his Ninja and finished on the third step of the podium, behind Alex Lowes who can celebrate another top3 after the one obtained in his home race at Donington: a result that saves the day at home Yamaha, after Van der Mark's missed victory.
The Dutchman was in fact leading the race with eight laps to go when a "strange" fall, these are the words of Rea who witnessed the dynamics, put an end to his race.
Van der Mark, unlike Lowes, had good speed and a constant race pace, while the Englishman complained of problems with the front, the same ones that caused the three crashes yesterday, so in view of tomorrow he will have to work to improve further an R1 that is growing a lot.

Off the podium we find Jordi Torres, with the BMW of the Althea team, in fourth position followed by Xavi Fores with the Panigale of the Barni team, fifth.
After the two Spanish riders we find Eugene Laverty, with the RSV4 Aprilia of Team Milwaukee, Randy Krummenacher who achieved a fantastic seventh place for the Puccetti Kawasaki team, Roman Ramos who also achieved an excellent result for the Team Go Eleven Kawasaki.
Lorenzo Savadori, again on the RSV10, and Raffaele De Rosa with the BMW Althea complete the top 4.

The final ranking is obviously the result of the many crashes seen on the track, including those of Stefan Bradl on the Red Bull Honda Fireblade, Leandro Mercado, Riccardo Russo and Fabio Menghi, VFT Racing wildcards.

Leon Camier also crashes on lap 17: the MV Agusta rider however managed to get back on his bike, finishing 11th just outside the top 10.

With the hope of seeing Chaz Davies at the start of Race 2 tomorrow, we remind you that the race will start at 13 pm, with the starting grid modified according to the new rules: on the front row we will therefore have Jordi Torres, on pole, Xaxi Fores and Eugene Laverty, while today's podium will start from the third line.

Below is the finishing order for Race 2:

1. Tom Sykes GBR Kawasaki Racing ZX-10RR 21 laps
2. Alex Lowes GBR PATA Crescent Yamaha R1 +4.551ff
3. Jonathan Rea GBR Kawasaki Racing ZX-10RR +8.126s
4. Jordi Torres ESP Althea BMW S1000RR +10.850s
5. Xavi Fores ESP Barni Ducati Panigale R +13.649s
6. Eugene Laverty IRE Milwaukee Aprilia RSV4 +20.508s
7. Randy Krummenacher SWI Puccetti Kawasaki ZX-10RR +22.498s
8. Roman Ramos ESP Team Go Eleven Kawasaki ZX-10R +26.329s
9. Lorenzo Savadori ITA Milwaukee Aprilia RSV4 +28.395s
10. Raffaele De Rosa ITA Althea BMW S1000RR +31.171s
11. Leon Camier GBR MV Agusta RC F4 RR +38.314s
12. Alex de Angelis SMR Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10RR +39.829s
13. Ayrton Badovini ITA Grillini Kawasaki ZX-10RR +50.478s
14. Ondrej Jezek CZE Grillini Kawasaki ZX-10RR +55.208s
15. Marco Melandri ITA Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale R +1 lap

Not Classified

16. Stefan Bradl GER Red Bull Honda CBR1000RR SP2
17. Chaz Davies GBR Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale R
18. Michael van der Mark NED PATA Yamaha YZF-R1
19. Leandro Mercado ARG IodaRacing Aprilia RSV4
20. Riccardo Russo ITA Guandalini Yamaha YZF-R1
21. Fabio Menghi ITA VFT Racing Ducati Panigale R