Rea wins as Hayden takes first podium

Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) won the first race of the Assen WorldSBK weekend after 21 laps of drama and determination, too much in some notable cases.

After running with the front group for the whole race Michael van der Mark (Honda World Superbike Team) fell while competing for the win, leaving Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Racing) clear in second but too far behind Rea to challenge after his front tyre had given its best.

Nicky Hayden (Honda World Superbike Team), riding in fourth for most of the race, took his first WorldSBK podium in third place after VDM had fallen, finally easing up and ending up five seconds behind Rea and Davies to make sure of his third place.

Fourth, after moving up at great pace throughout the race was 13th place qualifier Leon Camier (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) giving the MV its best result to date in WorldSBK racing.

Fifth place was secured by another rider setting top level laps near the end, Jordi Torres (Althea BMW Racing Team) and he was the best BMW rider on show. With Lorenzo Savadori (IodaRacing Team Aprilia) just behind Torres, there were six different machines in the top six places.

Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) slowed to finish eighth after his team-mate and front row qualifier Sylvain Guintoli (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) had crashed out of contention.

Privateer Kawasaki rider Roman Ramos (Team GOELEVEN Kawasaki) was ninth, replacement rider for the injured Sylvain Barrier, Lucas Mahias (Pedercini Racing Kawasaki) a more than respectable tenth. Josh Brookes (Milwaukee BMW) was 11th, Josh Hook (Grillini Racing Team Kawasaki) 16th.

Superpole winner Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) crashed out of a potential podium place after missing a gear and Davide Giugliano (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) retired from the race.