Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) secured the first win of the Lausitz WorldSBK weekend – and the first after the summer break –despite starting sixth off the grid. A pass on early leader Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) saw him hit the front after two laps and stay there all the way to the end, despite the constant close attentions of eventual second place Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team).
Fores and Torres, WSBK Race1, German WSBK 2017
Sykes could not make any inroads to the final top two near the end, despite taking the new lap record of 1’36.918 on lap six.
Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) stated well but finished 16 seconds from the podium in fourth place, and was almost caught by the ever-impressive Leon Camier (MV Agusta Reparto Corse), who finished fifth. Camier was in the middle of a close three rider group that was completed by Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) in sixth place.
Davies, WSBK Race1, German WSBK 2017
Front row starter Lorenzo Savadori (Milwaukee Aprilia) placed seventh, well ahead of an all Spanish fight between Xavi Fores (Barni Racing Ducati) and Jordi Torres (Althea BMW Racing Team), which went the way of the Ducati rider over the line.
The promising Friday of Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia) turned into tenth place on Saturday.
Local rider Stefan Bradl (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team) missed the race due to a left elbow injury, suffered on Friday.
Davies, WSBK Race1, German WSBK 2017