Four-time WorldSBK Champion Jonathan Rea made it nine wins in a row in Argentina today when he cruised to the race-one win, crossing the line with a nine-second lead over Marco Melandri with Toprak Razgatlioglu in third.
Rea has now equalled the joint record of Colin Edwards and Neil Hodgson who took their nine straight victories in 2002 and 2003 respectively, and with his consistent 1’39s laptimes, you’d be brave to bet against it being ten tomorrow.
Behind the podium places a fantastic fight between three riders for fourth place went the way of Xavi Fores (Barni Ducati) from Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia) and Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team).
Chaz Davies (Aruba Ducati) cashed out during an attempted pass on Sykes on lap 13 as he ran wide onto a dirty part of the track and just as some spots of rain were noted in sector three, causing some anxious moments for all.
Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha) placed seventh, closely followed by his team-mate Michael van der Mark.
Loris Baz (Althea BMW) won a long battle with Leon Camier (Red Bull Honda), as Camier completed the top ten.
Florian Marino (Triple M Honda) was 11th in his first ride in WorldSBK. Rookie Max Scheib (MV Agusta) also scored points for 13th.
Jake Gagne (Red Bull Honda) crashed out in the early stages of a race with only 14 finishers.