WorldSBK Aragon: Bautista’s back with race two win

Alvaro Bautista’s return to Aruba.it Ducati proved successful at Motorland Aragon as the Spaniard claimed a second dominant victory in race two.

Crossing the line over four seconds clear of his chasing rivals on his 100th WorldSBK race start, Bautista leaves his home race with the championship lead after an impressive Sunday showing. Kawasaki’s Jonathan Rea and Pata Yamaha’s Toprak Razgatlioglu completing the podium once again as the trio proved they were a step ahead of the rest.

Sunday’s final action saw Superpole race winner Bautista head the grid from usual suspects Rea and Razgatlioglu. Michael Rinaldi leading Andrea Locatelli and Alex Lowes on row two as the factory Ducati/Yamaha/Kawasaki battle continued with the warmest track temperatures of the weekend providing an easy choice on tyres for the 25-strong grid as the entirety opted for the SCX rear.

As the lights released, Rea swept through for the early lead while his KRT teammate went backwards. Lowes running seventh through the opening corners with Razgatlioglu firmly in the middle of the Ducati pairing from third.

Bautista took charge down the back straight as Lowes regrouped for sixth. Rinaldi picking off the defending champion for final podium potential as the next lap began before Rea took the lead through turn seven and Locatelli crashed out two corners later.

The Kawasaki had a pair of determined Ducatis firmly on his wheel as lap three played out. Rinaldi looking to challenge his teammate as his pace ignited until Bautista struck for the lead on the straight once again.

Rinaldi then Razgatlioglu pushed through on Rea as the next lap got underway, the two KRT’s now on the fightback in tandem from fourth and fifth.

Further Back Axel Bassani headed the