ALBARDON, Argentina – Alvaro Bautista emerged victorious from a frantic World Superbike race Saturday afternoon at Circuito San Juan Villicum.
Jonathan Rea emerged with the lead entering turn one, with Bautista giving chase. The pair nearly collided in the first few corners, opening the door for Yamaha rider Michael van der Mark to take the lead.
Van der Mark’s lead didn’t last long, with Bautista snatching the lead back shortly thereafter while Rea settled into second. Bautista’s Ducati was best on the straights while Rea hounded Bautista through the corners.
With 16 laps left Bautista began to increase his pace, though he briefly lost the lead to Rea in turn six before regaining the position shortly thereafter. Rea tried to hang with Bautista, but soon faded as he was unable to keep pace with Bautista’s Ducati.
Bautista finished more than 1.5 seconds ahead of Rea, who managed to hold off a game Toprak Razgatlioglu for second. Van der Mark finished fourth for Yamaha, with Alex Lowes completing the top-five.