The second 22-lap race in the season-opening Yamaha-Finance world superbike round at Phillip Island will be held at 3:00pm today – but with a new level of intrigue thanks to a revised grid formation.

In novel rules that have been introduced this season to make the action even more gripping, the top three finishers in race one will start from the third row of the grid in race two; riders who finished in positions 4-6 will start from the front row; and riders who finished in positions 7-9 will start from the second row.

Yesterday’s stunning race one saw world champion Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki) defeat Chaz Davies Ducati) and Tom Sykes (Kawasaki), so that trio has been ‘rewarded’ for race two by being shuffled back to the third row.

Meanwhile, Yamaha’s Alex Lowes will start from’ pole position’ after his fourth place in race one, to be joined by Leon Camier (MV Agusta) and Xavi Fores (Ducati).

Row two will be filled by Jordi Torres (BMW), multiple Phillip Island winner Eugene Laverty (Aprilia) and Michael van der Mark (Yamaha).

As well as WorldSBK, the opening round of the world supersport title will be held at 1:30pm, with American PJ Jacobsen (MV Agusta) on pole position and three Aussies in action, and there will also be five national support races.

The 2017 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship kicks off at Australia’s Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit with the Yamaha Finance round from February 24-26, and is set to be a scorcher. Go to www.worldsbk.com.au for event information. 

Tickets are available at the gate 

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