KAWASAKI’S Jonathan Rea won the restarted 6-lap opening race at Imola claiming his 22nd career win ahead of Tom Sykes and Davide Giugliano.

Race one saw Italian Davide Giugiano lead from the start before fighting with the Kawasaki Racing Team duo of Sykes and Rea. Unfortunately, it was then red flagged due to a crash involving Team Pedercini’s David Salom. A restart was declared, but only over 6 laps. 

The restarted race one saw the Kawasaki Racing Team pair push each other to the limits. Rea recorded a lap record on lap 2 of 6 which saw him pass his team-mate only for Sykes to respond with an even faster lap just to pile on the pressure. 

After a tense last lap, it was Rea who claimed the win, the 22nd win of his career, ahead of Sykes and Davide Giugliano who claimed third and the final podium place on his return to World Superbikes. 

Red Devils Aprilia’s Leon Haslam made several changes during the delay and the British rider finished 4th ahead of PATA Honda’s Sylvain Guintoli who carved his way through 10 riders from 15th to finish 5th. Ayrton Badovini scored a 10-points in 6th. 

Reigning FIM Superstock 1000cc Cup winner Leandro Mercado took seventh ahead of Matteo Baiocco, Michael van der Mark, and Michel Fabrizio who rounded out the top 10. 

Rookie Jordi Torres took part in race one running as high as 6th before making a mistake, however the Spaniard crashed out unhurt with 11 laps to go. Both Torres and Chaz Davies were unable to take part in the restart. 

Race results:

1. Jonathan Rea GBR Kawasaki Racing
2. Tom Sykes GBR Kawasaki Racing (+0.482) 
3. Davide Giugliano ITA Aruba.it Racing Ducati (+3.945)
4. Leon Haslam GBR Red Devils Roma Aprilia (+7.455 
5. Sylvain Guintoli FRA PATA Honda World Superbike (+11.925)
6. Ayrton Badovini ITA BMW Italia (+12.074)
7. Leandro Mercado ARG Barni Ducati (+12.789) 
8. Matteo Baiocco ITA Althea Ducati (+13.712)
9. Michael van der Mark NED PATA Honda World Superbike (+13.863)
10. Michel Fabrizio ITA Althea Ducati (+14.637)
11. Roman Ramos ESP GO Eleven Kawasaki (+16.990)
12. Alex Lowes GBR Voltcom Crescent Suzuki (+21.123)
13. Santiago Barragan ESP Grillini Kawasaki (+32.443)
14. Christophe Ponsson FRA Pedercini Kawasaki (+32.977)
15. Imre Toth HUN Team Toth BMW (+39.711)
16. Gabor Rizmayer HUN Team Toth BMW (+40.821) 
DNF. Leon Camier GBR MV Agusta (+3 laps)