In race 1 the drama engulfed the opening British Superbike race at Oulton Park. With rain spotting as the riders took their positions at the end of the sighting lap, the red flag brought a swift conclusion as a host of riders, including holeshot rider Tom Sykes, crashing at the first corner. A swift re-start ensued of the full 18-lap race distance. Sykes took the holeshot on his Rizla Suzuki again, stretching his lead to almost a second from Crutchlow’s HM Plant Honda by the culmination of the opening lap. Byrne, Haslam and Camier fought doggedly for third as Crutchlow took the lead with a classic manoeuvre at Lodge on lap 2.