Kawasaki’s Loris Baz took the win, in a repeat performance of the race at Silverstone last year. The rider was locked in a battle with fellow Frenchman Jules Cluzel, and his team-mate Leon Camier for the majority of the race, for that coveted first step on the podium.
But on the penultimate lap Cluzel crashed out at Stowe Corner, and a few seconds later the race was red flagged as Pata Honda’s Leon Haslam high-sided in exactly the same spot, which resulted in the race coming to an abrupt halt. Even though Cluzel crashed before the red flag he still retained his second place, according to the World Superbike rule book.
Baz had a great start off the grid, and led on the opening lap, but it did not last as Laverty was not too far behind, followed by Kawasaki’s Tom Sykes. By lap two GoldBet BMW’s Chaz Davies was also in the mix for a potential podium and got the better of both Kawasaki’s to eventually take the lead at Stowe Corner on lap nine.
Both Cluzel and his rather taller team-mate were not giving up the podium that easily and soon decided to make a move on the Welshman. Camier made his mark two laps later at Village to go into the lead. But his much shorter team-mate Cluzel overtook Camier at Woodcotte on lap twelve, just as the white flag came out.
Rain started to fall on the Northamptonshire track and Aprilia’s Sylvain Guintoli made a mistake after going inside Camier, which made the Kent rider drop back to sixth. Laverty was able to take advantage of his French team-mate’s mistake and made his way to third to get the better of Davies. But the BMW rider’s luck ran out at Stowe as his engine blew up, ending his chances of fighting from a rostrum.
Pata Honda’s Jonathan Rea moved into fourth, but on the penultimate lap Cluzel fell at Stowe, only for already injured rider, Haslam to fall seconds later because of the slippery track service and the race was stopped.
Sykes crossed the finishing line in seventh, followed by Badovini, Melandri and Alstare Ducati’s Carlos Checa, who rounded off the top ten.
