The opening WorldSBK race of the day at a very wet Magny-Cours has been won by newly crowned Superbike World Champion Jonathan Rea after a reduced race distance of 19 laps. The Kawasaki Racing Team rider overhauled long team leader and teammate Tom Sykes, who made a mistake at Turn 8, eventually finishing 4.7s behind Rea at the flag. For Rea it was a sweet 13th season victory and the first for him at the Magny-Cours circuit.
The podium was completed by Sylvain Guintoli (Pata Honda World Superbike Team), who kept his consecutive run of podium finishes at his home circuit in tact with a spirited ride.
Fourth, after a multi rider battle from the start was Michael van der Mark on the second Pata Honda, the Dutchman getting the better of Leon Camier (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) , Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati SBK) and Matteo Baiocco (Althea Racing) who completed the top 7, Camier giving the Italian manufacturer its best finish ever in its WorldSBK history.
Alex Lowes (Voltcom Crescent Suzuki) rode a solid race after a huge spill in Superpole yesterday to claim eighth ahead of Leandro Mercado (Barni Racing Team) and Niccolo Canepa (Althea Racing) who finished tenth.
The final point scorers were Gianluca Vizziello (Grillini SBK Team), Jordi Torres (Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils), Luca Scassa (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati SBK Team), Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia) and Roman Ramos (Team Go Eleven).
Leon Haslam (Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils) started strongly but faded and with seven laps to go he made the decision to pit for intermediate tyres, he eventually finished 16th after starting from Pole.
WorldSBK Magny-Cours – Race 1
1 – Jonathan Rea Kawasaki Racing Team
2 – Tom Sykes Kawasaki Racing Team +4,711
3 – Sylvain Guintoli Pata Honda World Superbike +14.683
