QatarWorldSBK. Maiden win for Torres in Race 1 after spectacular battle with Rea
The penultimate race of the 2015 WorldSBK season has been won under floodlights at the Losail International Circuit by Jordi Torres (Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils), with Jonathan Rea and his KRT team-mate Tom Sykes joining him on the podium. Sykes led from the start, before being passed by Rea and Torres, the Spaniard pulling off an incredible move around the outside of the former champion into turn one at half distance. Interestingly, Torres’ maiden win in WorldSBK maintains Aprilia’s 100% record of podium finishes at the Qatari venue, with the Spanish flag waving at the top for the first time since 2012 at Miller Motorsports Park, when Carlos Checa won the first race. 2015 World Champion Rea gave chase but had to be content with second, his 65th podium.
Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team) came out on top in the fight for fourth with Michael van der Mark (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) and Leon Haslam (Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils) completing the top 6.
Xavi Fores (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team) converted his maiden front row start into a solid 7th, the Spanish rider finishing the race three seconds ahead of compatriot David Salom (Team Pedercini), Leandro Mercado (Barni Racing), Sylvain Guintoli (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) and Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia), who completed the top 11 after their own four way fight from start to finish.
The final point scorers were Randy de Puniet (Voltcom Crescent Suzuki), Gabor Rizmayer (BMW Team Toth), Christophe Ponsson (Team Pedercini) and Gianluca Vizziello (Grillini SBK Team).
Alex Lowes was riding superbly in 3rd in the first half of the 17 lap encounter until his Voltcom Crescent Suzuki hit problems at turn 1 on lap 8.
There was drama at the start for Leon Camier who suffered a technical problem on the grid after the warm up lap with his MV Agusta Reparto Corse machine, the British rider will hope to make amends in the final race of the season.
WorldSBK Qatar – Race 1
1 – Jordi Torres Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils
2 – Jonathan Rea Kawasaki Racing Team +0.726
3 – Tom Sykes Kawasaki Racing Team +6.579
