Source: WorldSBK.

The second race of this year’s eni FIM Superbike World Championship was even more exciting and unpredictable as the first, with Leon Haslam (Aprilia Racing Team) snatching the victory ahead of fellow podium finishers Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) and Chaz Davies (Aruba Ducati SBK) after another epic final lap.

In the early stages nine riders fought it out at the head of the field. For Haslam it was his first victory since Kyalami in 2010.

As in race one it was Rea who took the holeshot, the Kawasaki rider in control until an audacious move by reigning World Supersport Champion Michael van der Mark (Pata Honda WSBK Team) sensationally took the lead into turn one at the start of lap seven.

Van Der Mark would crash out of fourth at the end of lap 19 without injury. Jordi Torres also fell a lap earlier, losing the front of his Aprilia Racing machine at turn one.

The 22nd and final lap would once again decide the outcome of the race and at the flag.

Behind the top three it was Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team), Sylvain Guintoli (Pata Honda WSBK Team) who completed the top five with Nico Terol (Althea Racing) a lonely sixth ahead of Randy de Puniet (Voltcom Crescent Suzuki), Leon Camier (MV Agusta Reparto Corse), Matteo Baiocco (Althea Racing) and Roman Ramos (Go Eleven Kawasaki) who rounded out the top 10.

Aussie veteran Troy Bayliss (Aruba Ducati SBK) started well, once again moving through the field making it as high as seventh until the triple champion entered the pits to change his front tyre on lap 14. He rejoined finishing outside of the points in 16th.

Local wildcard Jed Metcher started from the back of the grid after his Kawasaki was pushed off the grid just minutes before the race was scheduled to start.

Metcher eventually retired to the pits, as did Alex Lowes (Voltcom Crescent Suzuki), who pulled in at the end of lap two. Niccolo Canepa (Team Hero EBR) was ruled unfit following his race one tumble while.

2015 Superbike World Championship
Round one – Phillip Island, VIC

Superbike race two results:
1. Leon Haslam
2. Jonathan Rea
3. Chaz Davies
4. Tom Sykes
5. Sylvain Guintoli
6. Nico Terol
7. Randy de Puniet
8. Leon Camier
9. Matteo Baiocco
10. Roman Ramos
16. Troy Bayliss (AUS)

Click here for detailed results