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Australian Troy Bayliss has taken out the opening race at the Australian round of the World Superbike Championship, riding a perfectly constructed race to wow the 20,000-plus crowd at Phillip Island.
The reigning champ ended up winning the race comfortably from Brit James Toseland, with Italian Max Biaggi rounding out the top three.
Bayliss got off to a flying start as the riders left the line, before Biaggi crept past his outside on the first corner to take the lead.
However at the second corner, Toseland passed both riders and at the completion of the opening lap the top-three settled in the shape of Toseland, Bayliss and Biaggi with Troy Corser in fourth.
As Toseland pulled away from his competitors over the next few laps, Corser managed to weave into second, and a tight battle of cat-and-mouse between the Aussie Troy's ensued.
The top three pulled away from the chasing field and after five laps, Bayliss in third was 4.5 seconds ahead of Biaggi in fourth.
Eventually Bayliss managed to pass Corser and waited until the 17th lap of the 22-lap race to make his move for the race lead.
The Aussie came through on Toseland's outside, but as the pair was forced wide and the Brit retained his lead. However, one lap later Bayliss made a more successful move, taking the lead and riding his way to victory.
With Toseland comfortably taking second, all eyes turned to the battle for third spot, where Corser's worn tyres proved his downfall as he struggled to control his bike.
As a result, Biaggi managed to sneak past Corser, and earned himself the final podium position.
Corser finished in fifth after being overtaken by Noriyuki Haga, and of the other Australians out in action, Steve Martin finished in 10th and Josh Brookes ended the race in 12th.
