Photo Courtesy of Worldsbk.com press

Jonathan Rea (1) takes home the double win at the World Superbike season opener in Australia.

Jonathan Rea left Phillip Island with a perfect score, taking the World Superbike double and leaving round one with a 14-point advantage in the championship. It was not as hectic as yesterday’s race, but still a fight nonetheless for the Kawasaki Racing Team rider.

First from teammate Tom Sykes, who led for almost half of the race before making a mistake and dropping back to fourth. Then the young Dutchman, Michael van der Mark, who led another seven laps, and finally a bit of déjà vu from yesterday – Chaz Davies. This time Davies went for it earlier, but the Aruba.it Ducati rider went in a bit too hot and lost the front.

All the while, Rea ran a smart race – his race, and showed everyone who’s still top dog in the class.

“Yeah it’s incredible to start my year here with the double. To start the year with 50 points is the best way,” Rea said simply.

Indeed it is, especially while trying to defend your title against a pack of hungry riders looking for their shot. Like, Honda World Superbike Team’s Van der Mark, for example.

“Amazing to start the season,” Van der Mark said. “The pace wasn’t as high as yesterday because everyone was riding more smart to save the tires. Was a nice couple of last laps, It’s a shame Chaz [Davies] crashed out, but we had a nice fight. The last lap I wanted to attack Johnny [Rea], but yeah he was stronger, I made a small mistake. Since I came here to Phillip Island the bike worked fabulous and I enjoyed so much riding the bike around here.”

Joining the pair on the podium was Davies’ teammate Davide Giugliano. The Italian was very happy with his result after such a difficult season last year that was plagued with injuries.

“Yeah for me is fantastic, the first podium at this track for me,” said Giugliano. Is very fantastic, especially after last year’s big crash here and another one at Laguna Seca. Is a very big result.”

Photo Courtesy of Honda Pro Racing

Michael van der Mark (60) put on another impressive performance to return to the podium in race two.

Van der Mark’s teammate Nicky Hayden came just shy of a podium early in his World Superbike career, losing the position to Giugliano on the final lap and settling for fourth.

Pata Yamaha’s Sylvain Guintoli ended the weekend with another solid finish in fifth ahead of Sykes. Then it was a battle of the BMWs with Althea BMW’s Jordi Torres besting teammate Markus Reiterberger, crossing the line seventh and eighth, respectively. Milwaukee BMW’s Josh Brookes finished ninth at his home World Superbike round, improving a position from yesterday’s race. Davies ultimately recovered to complete the top 10.

Meanwhile in World Supersport, Kawasaki Pucetti Racing’s Randy Krummenacher won his debut race in the championship. It was a wild race with lots of battles and with the added curve ball of some light rain. In the end it was down to the two Kawasaki’s – Kenan Sofuoglu and Krummenacher, but the reigning champ crashed out of the race with three laps to go and the rookie, Krummenacher brought it home.

“It’s very great to win, I never expected that,” Krummenacher said. “It was a very tough race, many different conditions – a little bit of rain, a little bit of wind, many riders trying to pass – so it was quite interesting, but hard race. At the end I could pull a bit away. I never expected that Kenan [Sofuoglu] to crash, but then it was all mine, I had to bring it home.”

Joing Krummenacher on the podium was fellow rookie, Bardahl Evan Bros. Honda Racing’s Federico Caricasulo and wildcard rider Anthony West on the Tribeca Racing Yamaha.

Christian Gamarino was fourth on the Team GoEleven Kawasaki, ahead of Honda World Supersport team’s PJ Jacobsen.

Photo Courtesy of Worldsbk.com press

Rookie Randy Krummenacher came out on top in a wild World Supersport race.

۲۰۱۶ World Superbike Phillip Island Race Results:

1. Jonathan Rea (GBR) Kawasaki Racing Team

2. Michael van der Mark (NED) Honda World Superbike Team

3. Davide Giugliano (ITA) Aruba.it Racing Ducati

4. Nicky Hayden (USA) Honda World Superbike Team

5. Sylvain Guintoli (FRA) Pata Yamaha Official WSBK Team

6. Tom Sykes (GBR) Kawasaki Racing Team

7. Jordi Torres (ESP) Althea BMW Racing Team

8. Markus Reiterberger (GER) Althea BMW Racing Team

9. Josh Brookes (AUS) Milwaukee BMW

10. Chaz Davies (GBR) Aruba.it Racing Ducati

11. Karel Abraham (CZE) Milwaukee BMW

12. Ramon Ramos (ESP) Team GoEleven Kawasaki

13. Alex de Angelis (RSM) IodaRacing Team Aprilia

14. Alex Lowes (GBR) Pata Yamaha Official WSBK Team

15. Sylvain Barrier (FRA) Pedercini Kawasaki

16. Dominic Schmitter (SUI) Grillini Racing Team Kawasaki

17. Saeed Al Sulaiti (QAT) Pedercini Kawasaki

18. Peter Sebestyen (HUN) Team Toth Yamaha

19. Imre Toth (HUN) Team Toth Yamaha

DNF Mike Jones (AUS) Desmo Sport Ducati

DNF Leon Camier (GBR) MV Agusta Reparto Corse

DNF Lorenzo Savadori (ITA) IodaRacing Team Aprilia