Nonetheless, his mid-race charge would eventually cause him to fade in the latter stages, allowing Pitt to ease away to the race win and another title.
Veneman finished a strong second, with Brookes clinging onto third from home favourite Matthieu Lagrive. The Frenchman was being cheered home by the partisan crowd when he made a move for the podium at the final corner, only to run wide and allow his fellow Honda rider back through.
Didier Van Keymeulen completed a strong day for Hoegee Suzuki in fifth, ahead of Massimo Roccoli, Gianluca Nannelli, returnee Fabien Foret, Josh Hayes and the recovering Rea.
