Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) took his ninth win in succession and the first ever at the Villicum circuit in Argentina with a peerless start-to-finish display for all 21-laps. His win also gave Kawasaki and unassailable lead in the Manufacturers’ championship.
Overhauling pole man and eventual second place finisher Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) Rea eased out a gap and set a lap record of 1’39.175 on lap 11 – under his Superpole best time.
He won by almost ten seconds from Melandri.
Some audacious passes from Toprak Razgatlioglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) saw him an eventual third.
Behind the podium places a fantastic fight between three riders for fourth place went the way of Xavi Fores (Barni Racing Team Ducati) from Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia) and Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team).
Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) cashed out during an attempted pass on Sykes on lap 13, just as some spots of rain were noted in sector 3, causing some anxious moments for all.
Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK) placed seventh, closely followed by his tea-mate Michael van der Mark.
Loris Baz (GULF ALTHEA BMW Racing Team) won a long battle with Leon Camier (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team), as Camier completed the top ten.
Florian Marino (Triple M Honda World Superbike Team) was 11th in his first ride in WorldSBK. Rookie Maximilian Scheib (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) also scored points, for 13th.
Jake Gagne (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team) crashed out in the early stages of a race with only 14 finishers.
By Gordon Ritchie
Photos GnG
