Image: Russell Colvin.

Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha) narrowly edged out Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team) and Scott Redding (Aruba.it Racing Ducati) to secure victory in race one at Phillip Island’s Motul FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) opener, the gap separating them just 0.041s.

The 22-lap encounter got off to a chaotic start when pole-sitter Tom Sykes (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK) clashed with five-time defending champion Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) in the opening laps, sending the number one off-track and to the rear of the field.

Rea later crashed heavily while attempting to work through the pack, while up front a four-way battle ensued between Razgatlioglu, Lowes, Redding and Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha).

It was a photo finish in that order, with Razgatlioglu winning by a mere 0.007s, while Redding was a further 0.034s back. Fourth’s van der Mark crossed the line 0.136s behind the winner, the Dutchman being out-dragged down the final straight after previously battling for victory.

Fifth went to Team HRC’s Leon Haslam ahead of teammate Alvaro Bautista (Team HRC), while the top 10 was completed by Loris Baz (Ten Kate Racing), Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing Ducati), Sykes, and Michael Rinaldi (Team GoEleven).

The Superpole race and race two will be staged tomorrow.

Detailed results