Reigning World Superbike Champion Tom Sykes has given Kawasaki their first win at Misano since Scott Russell tasted victory some 20 years ago and did so virtually unopposed save for an early challenge from team-non-mate Loris Baz.
The Huddersfield rider set two new lap records on laps two and four to break away from the pack and take Baz with him while Toni Elias, who got the holeshot, struggled to keep his Red Devils Aprilia on the circuit and scythed his way backwards, holding up Chaz Davies’ Ducati in the process.
Marco Melandri came from an awful start, sixth into turn one from a front row start, to push his way through for the final podium spot but his Aprilia came under fire from Davies late on but the Panigale just didn’t have the legs to stay with the works RSV4 on the straight to facilitate a pass on the brakes - somewhere Davies is strong.
Davies had to settle for fourth place after passing Sylvain Guntoli on lap nine while Elias ended in sixth place. Pata Honda’s Jonathan Rea came from the mid-pack to pass Davide Giugliano for seventh but just didn’t have time left to put in a serious challenge on Elias.
Voltcom Suzuki’s Eugene Laverty will be disappointed with his ninth place, especially after saying he was confident with his race pace, while Leon Haslam slowed dramatically in the final laps but then managed to get going to prevent David Salom passing him for tenth.
Alex Lowes crashed out of a top-ten spot, sliding off at turn five with 13 laps remaining. Salom took the laurels in the Evo class with Nico Canepa and Sylvain Barrier in second and third.
