Bautista claimed his fifth World Superbike hat-trick in commanding fashion in Race Two, from which 2021 champion Razgatlioglu and Kawasaki rider Alex Lowes were forced to retire after colliding on lap 17 of 22.

The champion had more than six seconds to spare over team-mate Rinaldi at the chequered flag to repeat his treble at the Australian circuit in 2019.

Yamaha rider Andrea Locatelli was third to complete the podium but behind him a battle raged for fourth place, Axel Bassani eventually sealing that position.

Rea was the subject of a couple of late-race moves to relegate him to eighth.

Razgatlioglu and Lowes were involved in the battle for fourth but both crashed when the former tried to make a move around the outside heading into Turn Four, with Lowes losing the front of his machine heading into Miller Corner, collecting Razgatlioglu.

The two riders were forced to retire from the race following the crash, costing them valuable points early on in the season.

Bautista enjoys a 28-point lead over Locatelli heading into next week's second round of the championship at the Mandalika circuit in Indonesia.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7o67CZ5qopV%2BovbC%2B02ilqKqknbKzuoyiqZ6kkaOxcIKTcG5vamlm