Newcastle’s Broc Parkes has fallen agonisingly short of claiming victory in an enthralling Supersport World Championship season opener at Phillip Island this afternoon.

After 21 stirring laps, Yamaha’s Luca Scassa defeated the Kawasaki-backed Parkes by just 0.009 seconds, with Briton Sam Lowes and Spaniard David Salom also involved in the final, frenetic drag to the finish line.

It was Scassa’s first world supersport victory, and a massive shot in the arm for his Italian-based team which only made a last minute switch to Yamaha equipment before the season commenced.

Meanwhile, Parkes was all class in defeat, in what was his third world supersport podium at Phillip after third place finishes in 2006-2007.

“Everytime we get on the bike we’re making steps and when it is that close at the end, it’s a good race,” Parkes commented.

Poleman Fabien Foret pulled out of the race with a flat tyre, an affliction which affected a number of other riders including Yamaha’s Chaz Davies.

Parkes’ fellow Aussie Mitch Pirotta suffered clutch dramas on his Kuja Racing Honda in his WSS race debut.

Supersport World Championship
Round One – Phillip Island, VIC

Supersport Race Results:
1.  Luca Scassa Yamaha YZF (Yamaha ParkinGO Team) 33’34.739 
2.  Broc Parkes Kawasaki (Kawasaki Motocard.com) 33’34.748 
3.  Sam Lowes Honda (Parkalgar Honda) 33’34.772 
4.  David Salom Kawasaki (Kawasaki Motocard.com) 33’35.011 
5.  Robbin Harms Honda (Harms Benjan Racing Team) 33’51.708
6.  James Ellison Honda (Bogdanka PTR Honda) 33’58.682 
7.  Florian Marino Honda (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) 34’06.527 
8.  Vittorio Iannuzzo Kawasaki (Lorenzini by Leoni) 34’06.576 
9.  Alexander Lundh Honda (Cresto Guide Racing Team) 34’06.609 
10.  Danilo Dell’Omo Triumph Daytona (Suriano Racing Team) 34’07.556