Alvaro Bautista [Aruba.it Racing – Ducati] came away with yet another hat-trick to his name. Bautista’s Race 2 win was monumental to say the least, as he took home Spain’s 80th triumph in the World Superbike Championship

The grid was set from Superpole and it was nothing but sunshine and blue skies reigning down on the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, setting the scene for what was going to be a glorious final race for the Grand Ridge Brewery Australian Round. A glorious race it was, with Alvaro Bautista [Aruba.it Racing – Ducati] making it a hat-trick in Australia.

In what was a delightful change in weather conditions for our World Supersport riders, the sun was once again shining on the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit for the World Supersport Race 2 of the Grand Ridge Brewery Australian Round. With track temperatures reaching 38 degrees when the lights went out, it was going to be a hard-charging 18-laps.

The sun was shining down on the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit as the first 10-lap Tissot Superpole Race, and the first dry race, got underway at the Grand Ridge Brewery Australian Round. While it was a celebration for the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team, it was heartbreak for the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team.

When the lights went out, it was Alvaro Bautista who led the way into Turn 1, although his clear vision didn’t last long. From fourth on the grid, hard-charging Jonathan Rea [Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK] made quick work to take the lead from Bautista and eventually led the opening lap of 2023 as they blitzed down Gardner Straight for the first time.

Three different manufacturers made their way down Gardner Straight to line up on the front row of the grid for the opening race of the 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship season. Before it was lights out for the first time, clouds were heavily looming and rain was starting to drop.