Former World Supersport champion Andrew Pitt scored a hard fought victory, getting his title bid back on track on home soil after the Hannspree Ten Kate team's disastrous start to the season in Qatar.
Polesitter Pitt was involved in a huge battle with Fabien Foret, Robbin Harms and countryman Josh Brookes throughout, but overcame them all to score his third race win in the category, and his first on the Ten Kate Honda CBR600.
“I came here very determined after Qatar,” said the Aussie, reflecting on the unfortunate chain of events that saw him collect fallen team-mate Jonathan Rea's bike and crash out.
“We had to bounce back and we've done so in the best possible way. It was a tough race, with a big group of guys battling at the front, but I was confident I could work it out in the last laps and I did.”
After a troubled Qatar weekend left him with a skinned finger and no points, Rea proved he can be a threat for podiums and has the pace to win with a fighting ride to fifth.
The 2007 factory Honda British Superbike rider was dropped from the leading pack early on but, as they battled amongst themselves, Rea got his head down and was mixing it with the leading bunch on the last lap, just missing out on a podium.
"I'm happy enough,” Rea revealed, “I scored a fifth today and rode very hard, but I still struggle to understand the tyre when it's brand new. In the last ten laps, I can be as fast as the front guys but, in the opening laps, when the tyre is new, I still have to learn to push it harder."
Team boss Ronald Ten Kate was obviously thrilled with Pitt's win and had strong words of encouragement for Rea.
“Andrew put in a fantastic performance,” said the Dutch engineer, “He really did well on home soil. Johnny had a tough time this weekend, not only encountering problems with his hand, but also some technical problems throughout the practice days.
“In the first part of the race, he was riding too cautious but, in the second part, he showed what kind of racer he really is and almost made it to the podium.”
