Superbikes | Imola Round, Race1: Rea interrupts Bautista's dominance

Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) returned to the top step of the podium in Race1 of the Pirelli Italian Round, in Imola.

After an impeccable start, the four-time world champion managed to overtake poleman Chaz Davies (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati) at the exit of Tamburello: the Welsh rider was forced to retire at the Acqua Minerali corner due to a technical problem.

At the end of the first lap Rea and Bautista were leading the race while Tom Sykes (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) was in third position ahead of Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team) engaged in a comeback race which saw him sprint from eighth place and was already in fourth position followed by teammate Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team) while Leon Haslam (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK Team) was sixth. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Turkish Puccetti Racing) was one of the best riders at the start and managed to catch up with the leading group.

While the situation on the track was stabilising, Rea consolidated his lead by moving away from Bautista by 0.7 tenths per lap. The Spaniard managed to escape from the battle against Sykes who instead had to defend his fourth position while van der Mark preceded Lowes and Razgatlioglu had already reached sixth position ahead of Haslam.

Michael Ruben Rinaldi (BARNI Racing Team) made excellent progress returning to the top 10 despite starting from 17th place after a complex morning and following him was Marco Melandri (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK).

Alex Lowes, who arrived at the event not exactly in top shape, was unable to express himself to the best of his abilities. Sykes' final result in Race 1 was worse as he had to give up the race due to a mechanical problem.

The 2013 world champion was busy battling with van der Mark and Razgatlioglu for third place. The Turkish driver was truly impeccable and managed to impose himself on the Dutchman.

While Rea ran away towards his first victory of the season, the Spaniard confirmed his second position while behind him Razgatlioglu was taking his third podium in WorldSBK! Van der Mark remained in fourth position ahead of Leon Haslam who thus completes the top 5.

After a complicated Tissot Superpole, Marco Melandri managed to improve in the race by finishing ahead of Alex Lowes and Michael Ruben Rinaldi who finished eighth at the finish line. The result of wildcard Lorenzo Zanetti (Motocorsa Racing) was notable: ninth in Race 1, followed by Markus Reiterberger (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team).

Outside the top 10 we find Jordi Torres (Team Pedercini Racing) and Eugene Laverty's replacement, Tommy Bridewell (Team Goeleven) in 12th position. Hector Barbera (Orelac Racing VerdNatura), Ryuichi Kiyonari (Moriwaki Althea Honda Team) and Alessandro Delbianco (Althea Mie Racing Team) complete the points. It's a shame for Sandro Cortese (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK) who crashed on the last lap at the Acque Minerale corner.

This is the 72nd WorldSBK victory and the 128th for Kawasaki in this championship.

Below are the top six finishers:

1.) Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)
2.) Alvaro Bautista (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati)
3.) Toprak Razgatlioglu (Turkish Puccetti Racing)
4.) Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team)
5.) Leon Haslam (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)
6.) Marco Melandri (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK)