Alvaro Bautista has become the first rookie to win a maiden World Superbikes Championship race in 12 years after dominating the first leg of the season- opening round at Phillip Island.
The Spanish Ducati rider led from start to finish in the 22-lap race on Saturday to win by a massive 14.983 seconds over reigning world champion and polesitter Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki).
Italian Marco Melandri (Yamaha) was third, 16.934 secs adrift of Bautista.
"I was quite confident for the race, as I my pace was good in practice," Bautista said.
"I got into a good rhythm from the start and I saw my gap was increasing over the other riders every lap, so I tried to manage the tyres and save a little bit for the end of the race."
Bautista's ride was the perfect introduction for the new Ducati Panigale V4 R which throws down the gauntlet to Kawasaki, the dominant Superbikes force in recent years.
Rea acknowledged he wasn't at his free-wheeling best and hoped to be more competitive in Sunday's two races.
"Alvaro rode a really great race," the Northern Irishman said.
"To be honest I've been riding very tense and scared all weekend after a tough round here last year.
"My target was just to finish the race. We finished second and won Superpole ... it's the best we could have done."
Australian Associated Press
