Melandri passes UK’s Rea and Sykes to take Phillip Island WSC season opener

Marco Melandri passed Britain’s Jonathan Rea and Tom Sykes in quick succession as he won the World Superbike Championship season opener in Australia.

The Ducati rider started the race on the front row of the grid in third, half a second behind pole sitter Tom Sykes who won at Phillip Island in Round 1 last year.

Sykes and Rea – who is starting the defence of his crown and looking to win a fourth successive title – had positions one and two tied up for the majority of the race.

But Melandri went up the inside of Rea’s Kawasaki and quickly chased down Sykes, passing him with four of the 22 laps remaining.

Sykes pushed hard to grab the place back, but the Italian left the field in his wake, winning with a 1.180 second margin and clutching his fist after crossing the line.

Rea was on course to take third step on the podium, but lost out to Chaz Davies (Ducati) and was also passed by Xavi Fores (Ducati) in a three-way battle for third.

Alex Lowes took sixth, 17 seconds behind the winner, followed by Leon Camier and Eugene Laverty – who had qualified for second place on the grid.

Also among the points were Michael Van Der Mark, Leandro Mercado, Loris Baz and Jake Gagne.

Rounding out the top 15 were Toprak Razgatlioglu, Roman Ramos, and Ondrej Jezek.

Home racer Wayne Maxwell fell early while fellow Australian Daniel Falzon also retired.