A gamble of slick tyres on a drying track paid off Superbike world champion Alvaro Bautista, who charged through the field in the closing stages to take the superpole race victory in challenging conditions in Australia.

Bautista was well outside the top eight on the opening lap, with the majority of the field opting for an intermediate/wet tyre combination.

However, the Spaniard kept it upright when it counted and made rapid progress in the closing laps, swiftly overcoming Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) and Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx) to clear off to victory.

Razgatlioglu crossed the line second, with yesterday’s winner Rea in hot pursuit as Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team) and Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha with Brixx) rounded out the top five.

BMW Motorrad’s Scott Redding completed the encounter sixth, starting the race from pitlane, as top independent rider Garrett Gerloff (GYTR GRT Yamaha) was seventh and Xavi Vierge (Team HRC), Xavi Fores (Barni Spark Racing Team) and Loris Baz (Bonovo Action BMW) completed the top 10.

One race remains in the 2022 WorldSBK championship, with the final 22-lap encounter at Phillip Island scheduled for 4:00pm local time.

Detailed results