Rea edged out in Thailand

Alvaro Bautista extended his winning start to the World Superbikes season to four races as he once again edged out Jonathan Rea in Thailand’s opening race.

The Spaniard started his campaign with a trio of victories at Phillip Island last month, with reigning four-time world champion Rea a runner-up on each occasion.

And the Northern Irishman once again came up short as Ducati rider Bautista clinched the lead with 12 laps to go at the Chang International Circuit and took the chequered flag more than eight seconds clear of his rival.

Lincoln’s Alex Lowes took the final podium spot, pipping Holland’s Michael van der Mark by half a second, while Rea’s Kawasaki team-mate Leon Haslam finished fifth.