The world superbike season returned to Italy over the weekend, for the Riviera di Rimini round at the Misano world circuit. The action on the circuit was off to a flying start even in the qualifying rounds, with Tom Sykes taking pole position for both races thanks to his snap wins in both Superpole sessions.

Race one saw Sykes hang on to his lead until the end, earning his third win of the year and the 25th of his career, tying his number of career wins with his Kawasaki Racing Team teammate Jonathan Rea. Rea has stormed the competition so far this year, and is the only person for whom a second place could be seen as a disappointment, although earning his fifth of the season to go with his ten wins is still an amazing feat!

Chaz Davies took the final podium spot for Aruba.it, while teammate Davide Giugliano and Aprilia Racing’s Leon Haslam took fourth and fifth respectively.

Race two saw Rea regain first place for his eleventh win of the season, while Giugliano delighted the home crowd by stealing silver by a split-second – Haslam pushed hard throughout and finished in third, while Davies and Sykes rounded out the top five.

The tournament continues to be dominated by the fearsome British foursome of Rea, Sykes, Haslam and Davies – despite good performances from Torres and Giugliano, they’ve been unassailable at the top.

As the season reaches the final five rounds, the teams head stateside for the GEICO US round on the 19th of July at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Who will be victorious this time around?