How can Johnny Rea be stopped? It seems almost an impossible task, with the Cannibal securing his 63rd Superbike win today at Misano. Johnny didn't want to waste any time, passing Sykes through the first corner and the making a break for it, leading all the way to the line. True domination by the Kawasaki rider, who is now well on his way to a fourth consecutive world title.
Race 1 has many similarities with that of Laguna Seca, in that Chaz Davies and Eugene Laverty were back on the podium. Despite starting from the third row, the Welshman was able to work his way through the field to position third, before taking advantage of a mistake by the Milwaukee rider and overtaking him.
It was an uphill climb for their respective team-mates, both outside the top five. Melandri was unable to do more than seventh place, followed by Lorenzo Savadori. Michael van der Mark and Tom Sykes came home fourth and fifth, the latter struggling over race distance having started from pole position. Baz, Lowes and Torres all crashed out.