Image: Russell Colvin.

Queensland’s Anthony West has put forward a thrilling effort in the opening round of the 2016 World Supersport Championship, finishing third following a 18-lap affair.

Green Tea X50 Yamaha-mounted privateer West, 34, was in the mix for victory throughout the race won by fellow ex-Moto2 regular Randy Krummenacher, with Federico Caricasulo crossing the line runner-up.

“It’s been a big effort and I’m just happy with the result because we can’t expect more with a private team against all these high level teams and riders,” West commented before heading to the podium post-race.

“It was a great result for such a small team that we threw together at the last minute, this is exactly what we came here to do – beat these guys at the world level with a bike that shouldn’t even be there.”

It was a dramatic battle at the front of the field that saw world champion and pre-race favourite Kenan Sofuoglu crash out, as well as another title threat, Jules Cluzel.

The Swiss rider inherited the lead on lap 16 after Kawasaki teammate Sofuoglu unexpectedly crashed at turn six and he was then unchallenged as he claimed the win by 2.747s.

Of the remaining Australian in the field, series fulltimer Aiden Wagner (MV Agusta) took a bunch of points in 10th, Glenn Scott (Honda) was 12th, Alex Phillis (Honda) 14th, Mitch Levy (15th) and Lachlan Epis (Kawasaki) 21st on debut. Kane Burns (Suzuki) was a non-finisher.