Michael Ruben Rinaldi claimed the top spot in Race One at the World Superbike round in Aragon.

Moto Racing General

Michael Ruben Rinaldi claimed the top spot in Race One at the World Superbike round in Aragon.

Michael Ruben Rinaldi upholds Aruba Ducati honour after Alvaro Bautista crashes out the Aragon Race 1 lead at the World Superbike round in Aragon.

The Spaniard, who came into his home round as a hot favourite to put a stamp on a WorldSBK Championship advantage that stood at 57 points before the opening race, instead saw his lead slashed to 37 points with two costly crashes.

His exit paved the way for Rinaldi to take some of the spotlight as he beat down an early deficit to the lead group before usurping Razgatlioglu and Jonathan Rea in the concluding laps as he came on strong late on.

Crashing out without pressure from the lead, Bautista’s Championship lead was handed another massive blow. Just when he'd done all the recovery work to at least come away with a point or two, he crashed again on the last lap.