Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) scored his first 2018 WorldSBK race win after picking off riders and taking the lead that he stretched out to an eventual 2.1 seconds over second placed Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK). This was Ducati’s first win at the Buriram circuit, and the first non-Kawasaki race victory in Thailand.
On a strong day for Yamaha Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK) fought for the win at one stage but finished third.
After starting from the third row, and making the odd off track excursion and some scary moments, Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) recovered to a remarkable fourth place, 6.5 seconds from the win. He took the championship lead despite being off the race two podium.
Xavi Fores (Barni Racing Team Ducati) was fifth, ambushed by Rea’s pace and determination in the final laps.
Starting from pole, Leon Camier (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team) was sixth and Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) well down on the leading group finally, in seventh.
With Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) no scoring, Toprak Razgatlioglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was the next Kawasaki rider home after Rea, in eighth place. Lorenzo Savadori (Milwaukee Aprilia) was ninth and PJ Jacobsen (TripleM Honda World Superbike Team) scored a strong tenth place.
Only 14 riders finished, with the last home being Jake Gagne (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team).
In the championship, Rea has 69, Melandri 67, Fores 60 and Davies 67.
By Gordon Ritchie
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