Extra, from a press launch issued by Dorna:
WorldSBK Champion Alvaro Bautista triumphs in rain affected Race 1
Bautista received the primary race of the 2023 season forward of Rea and Razgatlioglu
The 2022 WorldSBK Champion claimed his first victory of the 2023 season in moist circumstances.
P1 | | Alvaro Bautista | Aruba.it Racing Staff
“I’m actually blessed to win races like this one. Final 12 months we raced right here as nicely, however we didn’t race an excessive amount of in these circumstances, so it was new for everyone. I simply tried to know how the monitor was to get the utmost. Within the Heat Up lap, I noticed behind the riders I had quite a lot of water spray, and I couldn’t see something, so the thought was to make begin and attempt to get the result in not have these points. I did it after which Jonathan went a bit sooner within the first lap so I simply tried to remain calm and perceive how a lot I may push and the place was the restrict. After a number of laps, my tempo was much like Jonathan’s however behind him I couldn’t see something because of the spray, so I simply tried to overhaul him and keep in entrance. After mid-race, the monitor began to be extra slippery and it was very troublesome, particularly on the rear. Ultimately, I may get some hole with Jonathan and win the race. I’m actually comfortable.”
Jonathan Rea claimed second place took as he took his 378th WorldSBK begin in Race 1 – beating Troy Corser’s document.
P2 | Jonathan Rea | Kawasaki Racing Staff
“I really feel nice! Truthfully, bodily, I’m in an awesome second. I really feel skilled. I began this journey in 2008 in WorldSSP after which WorldSBK in 2009, so I really feel blessed to have this job. Actually lucky to work with nice folks. I’ve met so many associates on this journey. I owe WorldSBK lots and I’ve contributed to it as nicely.”
Toprak Razgatlioglu accomplished the rostrum, 6.128s behind Bautista.
Rookie Danilo Petrucci crossed the road in seventh however was demoted to eighth place attributable to irresponsible driving after a final lap incident with Xavi Vierge.
Australian Remy Gardner completed in twelfth place for his WorldSBK debut on house soil.
WorldSBK Race 1 Report
A delayed begin to Race 1 within the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship supplied loads of drama as rain got here down earlier than the beginning of the race on the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit for the Grand Ridge Brewery Australian Spherical. Reigning Champion Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) claimed a shocking victory in troublesome circumstances after an unbelievable overtake on rival Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Staff WorldSBK).
Bautista began from second place however bought the holeshot firstly of the race earlier than being handed by Rea at Flip 10 on the opening lap of the race. On Lap 10, Bautista made his transfer at Stoner Nook, the high-speed left-hand nook to take the lead of the race and he remained there for the ultimate 12 laps of the race. Bautista had an enormous slide via Flip 8 a few laps after passing Rea however, though the Ulsterman closed in, Bautista as soon as once more pulled away to take victory by greater than three seconds on the finish of the race.
Behind the main duo, it was a little bit of a lonely race for polesitter Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) as he completed in third place however six seconds down on Bautista and 10 seconds forward of teammate Andrea Locatelli because the manufacturing facility Yamaha duo completed in third and fourth respectively.
Italian rider Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) battled his manner up from 14th to fifth on the finish of the 22-lap race. Iker Lecuona (Staff HRC) was the lead Honda rider in sixth as he gained positions from eleventh on the grid on his first WorldSBK race at Phillip Island.
